The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been directed by an Abuja High Court sitting in Jabi to release immediately former aide to the immediate past National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki, Nicholas Ashinze.
Ashinze had been in custody of the anti-graft agency since December 23, 2015.
At the hearing on Monday, Justice Yusuf Haliru ruled that the detention of the suspect for over three months without trial was illegal, wrongful and a blatant violation of the fundamental rights of the applicant.
He further said the detention of the applicant, “for all intent and purposes, is not just unfair but unfortunate.”
“The EFCC is a creation of the law. The court will not allow it to act as if it is above the law. It is remarkable to note that the motto of the EFCC is that nobody is above the law, yet they are acting as if they are above the law.
“The EFCC Act is not superior to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The respondents in this matter have not behaved as if we are in a civilised society. They have behaved as if we are in a military dictatorship where they arrest and release persons at will.
“The respondents, I must be bold to say- the EFCC and the Army- have behaved like illiterates,” the judge held.
Justice Haliru directed the Commission to release Ashinze on self-recognition and also handover documents and items it seized from his house to him.
