Dappa Maharajah
A leading human right activist and lawyer in Ondo State, Barrister Morakinyo Ogele, has flayed the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for the recent invasion of Sun Newspaper residence.
Ogele, who spoke with journalists and demanded N1billion compensation in Akure yesterday, said the raid has become the stock in trade of the commission, describing it as barbaric, uncivilized and unconstitutional.
“It is designed to gag, molest and harass the press. The excuse offered to the public by the EFCC cannot be accepted, as the matter is still pending in the competent court of law.”
He 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.
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 right lawyer sympathized with the media organization for the damages and embarrassment, insisting that Sun Newspaper authorities must drag EFCC to court.
“Seven days ultimatum is hereby issued to EFCC to tender unreserved apology to Sun and compensate the paper with N1billion. Otherwise, I may be forced to restrain EFCC from carrying out activities not known to law,” Ogele said.
