A group of lawyers and the civil society organisation, Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT), has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for intervention on enforcing a Federal High Court interim forfeiture order on a property located in Guzape, Abuja.
The group made the commendation yesterday during a press conference in Abuja addressed by its legal representative, Dr Maxwell Opara.
Speaking at the briefing, Opara expressed concern over incidents that reportedly occurred during the execution of the court order and called on the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the circumstances surrounding the operation.
According to him, the group received reports that there was resistance during the enforcement of the court’s interim forfeiture order, stressing the need for a thorough and impartial investigation.
“We are calling on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately investigate who deployed those officers to the property and under whose authority they acted.
“We call on the current Inspector-General of Police to immediately order a comprehensive investigation and address Nigerians on this matter,” he said.
Opara also urged relevant authorities to ensure that court orders are respected and enforced in line with the provisions of the law, describing adherence to judicial decisions as fundamental to the rule of law.
He commended the EFCC for carrying out the court order, saying the anti-graft agency had demonstrated commitment to upholding justice.
“We commend public officials when they do the right thing, and we condemn them when they do otherwise. The EFCC Chairman has demonstrated courage by ensuring that justice is done and the rule of law is upheld,” he stated.
The group noted that the property remains the subject of ongoing legal proceedings and expressed confidence that all parties involved would continue to observe due process throughout the judicial process.
INAHURAT further called on the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Ministry of Interior to clarify issues relating to passport issuance that were raised during the briefing.
It also appealed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to ensure that all legal processes connected to the matter are handled strictly in accordance with the law.
