Human Right Lawyers have said the ongoing attack on the Maitama office and Asokoro house of a socialite and businesswoman, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) is returning Nigeria to the dark days of former military leader, General Sani Abacha.
The human rights lawyers in a statement by its coordinator, Barr. Okere kingdom, argued that under Nigerian laws, a suspect is presumed innocent until convicted by a competent court.
They said by merely declaring Achimugu wanted does not automatically make her a criminal that should be treated in that manner.
They threatened to take legal action against the anti graft agency if it continues to harrass, intimidate, humiliate and manhandle the socialite and businesswoman; her household and staff.
The human rights lawyers wondered why EFCC would declare somebody wanted and ask the general public that anyone with information about her should report to its zonal offices or call phone numbers would now be attacking the person’s house and office.
“We and other well meaning Nigerians wake up on Friday to declaration of an international figure, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu wanted by the anti graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
“EFCC in a circular released by the EFCC Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale and published on official social media handles of the commission said; ‘the public is hereby notified that Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
“Achimugu, 51, is an indigene of Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
“Anybody with useful information as to her whereabouts should please contact the commission at its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices.
“It is curious that EFCC few hours after this declaration invaded Aisha’s House located in Asokoro in Abuja
where they harassed her aged mother and would continue with similar despicable act at her house in Maitama.
“This high handedness and brazen violation of a citizen’s fundamental human rights and intimidation of her family members and staff is returning Nigeria to the dark days of the maximum dictator, General Sani Abacha under whose rein Nigerians lived in perpetual fear of the unknown.”
