The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released Phillip Ojo, a detained member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ibadan branch, after a peaceful protest yesterday led by the branch chairman, Ibrahim Lawal.

Ojo was detained alongside the Oyo State High Court bailiff while trying to serve a court process on the commission.

The bailiff was released after writing a statement as directed by officials of the commission, but the lawyer was said to have refused to write the statement.

An EFCC source said the lawyer came for the release of a seized vehicle but couldn’t provide the necessary documents.

However, the association’s leadership described his detention as a flagrant abuse of the rule of law and human rights.

This development led to a peaceful protest staged in the early hours of yesterday, which terminated at the EFCC zonal office at Iyaganku in Ibadan South West Local Council.

The protesters had earlier demanded, among other things, an unconditional release of their colleagues and his personal belongings.