Ngozi James
The Human Rights Writes Association (HURIWA) has asked the Economic and financial crimes commission (EFCC)to release the director general of the voice of Nigeria Mr. Osita okechukwu immediately produce him in the competent court of law to prosecute him legally.
The Association said the detention of Okechukwu is in violation of the law and an abuse of his fundamental human rights. It is described as unfortunate that the EFCC is “carving a niche for itself as an agency of government that picks and chooses who to arbitrarily detain for a long period of time and who to release as soon as possible.”
The National Coordinator of HURIWA Emmanuel Onwubiko in a statement on Friday said, “This arbitrariness is illegal and unconstitutional and must be stopped forthwith. The EFCC has become notorious for detaining alleged offenders from the southern part of the country longer than necessary but easily releases accused persons from the North. “
The Coordinator said the EFCC has not said the reason why Mr. Okechukwu has been kept under detention for close to a week against constitutional norms and provisions. “It is sad that some reactionary elements in the judiciary masquerading as judges are aiding and abetting violations of fundamental human rights of the Nigeria citizens by the EFCC. Why for instance will judges grant ex parte orders in their Chambers to enable EFCC keep citizens for weeks unending? What then is the import of presumption of innocence which is a fundamental part of our Jurisprudence?”, he queried.
“Detaining Osita Okechukwu arbitrarily and indefinitely violates Constitutional provision in SECTION 34 which gives him right to respect to her human dignity. Section 36 a person shall be entitled to a fair hearing within a reasonable time. Personal liberty connotes right to freedom from wrongful or false imprisonment, arrest, or any physical restraint whether in any common prison, or even in the open street without legal justification”, Onwubiko stated.