Posted by From George Oji in Abuja on
Former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, yesterday wrote to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, asking that the commission's operatives that allegedly maltreateed him last week be released to the police for prosecution. He said he has lost confidence in the commission.
I've Lost Confidence in EFCC, Says Balogun
, 07.06.2005
Former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, yesterday wrote to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, asking that the commission's operatives that allegedly maltreateed him last week be released to the police for prosecution. He said he has lost confidence in the commission.
Balogun on trial in two separate courts for money laundering, stealing and gratification, had last week slumped in court after alleged brutalisation by EFCC operatives.
Ribadu had however said Monday that Balogun's collapse in court was anything but an elaborate drama to frustrate his trial after the EFCC had recovered from him N17.7 billion.
But Balogun in a letter, written by his lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), said that EFCC could not be a judge in its own case particularly where crimes have been committed.
He asked that all officers concerned with his alleged abduction, assault, battery and unlawful imprisonment be charged to court.
He also said that he had lost confidence in the ability of EFCC to prosecute him and demanded that his case be transferred to the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
Balogun asked Ribadu to personally give a public undertaking as to the security of his life and assurance of liberty because, "there appears to be conflict of interest in this case," the letter added.
The former police boss stated that though judicial process may be slow, it remained the only civilised way of resolving conflicts and bringing about justice in any matter.
He described as half hearted the apology tendered by the Commission after he was allegedly assaulted by its operatives.
"Your public statement clearly attest to the fact that you have nurtured, since the beginning of this case, a deliberate policy to destroy him (Balogun) by all means.
"When he was arraigned in April, 2005, you ordered your officers to handcuff him openly, so that you can show the picture all over the world as evidence of achievement even in violation of the Criminal Procedure Act, Constitution and public morality. The whole country condemned the action," Amowolo stated in the letter.
Reacting to Ribadu's interview after the assault on him, Balogun said, "All the explanations you have given show that as a public officer, you have no regard for the constitution and the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which you swore to obey in all your official duties.
"It is clear that your eagerness to satisfy international interest far outstretch your respect to the constitution and the law. It is false to claim that Balogun stole N17.7 billion. We should have the courage to tell people everywhere that Nigeria is not a banana republic. It is a country governed by the constitution, law and public morality.
"The inhuman violence meted to Balogun as punishment, even before conviction is a dent on the human rights records of Nigeria and unforgivable scar or blemish on the conscience of our nascent democracy."
Balogun had also written a separate letter to the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi (SAN) asking him to take over the prosecution of the case from EFCC.
He demanded as follows:
• That the Attorney General under section 174 of the constitution take over the prosecution of this case;
• That an inquiry be conducted into the unlawful abduction, assault, false imprisonment and violation of his fundamental human rights as prescribed by the constitution; and
• That all the officers of the EFCC and such other persons that took part in the unlawful act of 29th June 2005, be prosecuted forthwith.