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A leading human rights activist and lawyer in Ondo State, Morakinyo Ogele, has flayed the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for the recent invasion of The Sun newspaper’s office. Ogele, who spoke with journalists in Akure, said he was demanding N1 billion in compensation, noting that the raid has become the stock in trade of the commission. He described it as barbaric, uncivilized and unconstitutional.
“It is designed to gag, molest and harass the press,” he stressed.” The excuse offered to the public by the EFCC cannot be accepted, as the matter is still pending in a competent court of law.”
Ogele stated that the commission acted in contravention to Section 39 (1) of 1999 constitution as amended, decrying it for carrying out its statutory functions outside the organic law of the land.
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The lawyer urged the general public to condemn “this conduct, as the crude and sordid invasion of The Sun by the EFCC is out of order, illegal and unconstitutional.”
He added that the acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, whom he said “is still illegal and unconstitutional since his nomination had been rejected twice” should respect rule of law and desist from “rule of force and crudity.”
The human rights lawyer sympathised with the media organisation for the damages and embarrassment, insisting that The Sun newspaper authorities must drag EFCC to court.
According to him, “Seven days ultimatum is hereby issued to EFCC to tender unreserved apology to The Sun and compensate the paper with N1 billion. Otherwise, I may be forced to restrain EFCC from carrying out activities not known to law.”
