CEM REPORT, CRIME | The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has relaxed the directive mandating the submission of international passport as part of its arrest procedure.
The commission has also completely restricted its operatives across all the commands from night raids.
This directive results from the recent arrest of 69 suspected internet fraudsters by operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Commission in Ile-Ife, Osun State, which led to a fiasco as students protested.
According to a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, the commission would adhere to the rule of law, in the exercise of its mandate.
“In line with the newly-reviewed procedures on arrest and bail of suspects by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has directed that sting operations at night time be stopped in all the Commands of the EFCC.”
The statement noted that citizens will no longer be asked to submit their international passport as part of their arrest procedure except in certain situations while also adding that detention of suspects beyond the constitutionally allowed period without a warrant should cease.
“Every demand for international passports of suspects would henceforth be exercised with discretion, depending on the nature of the case, personality and country of residence of the suspects”
“Detention of suspects without a Remand Warrant for unreasonable length of time beyond the constitutionally allowed period must henceforth stop forthwith.
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Olukoyede further issued a stern warning against the violation of the rights of suspects while carrying out their duties.
“Officers of the Commission are also warned against unwarranted violation of rights of suspects. It is time to have a paradigm shift and change the narrative. Henceforth, professionalism shall be the watchword. Let’s follow the best international standards worth our identity as a flagship law enforcement agency,” the statement adds.
