The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has released a detained member of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) Ibadan branch, Barr. Phillip Ojo.
Ojo was released after a peaceful protest led by the branch chairman, Ibrahim Lawal on Thursday.
Ojo was detained alongside the bailiff of the Oyo State High Court while trying to serve a court process on the Commission.
However, the Court bailiff was released after writing a statement as directed by the official of the Commission but the affected lawyer was said to have refused to write the statement.
An EFCC source stated that the affected lawyer came for the release of a seized vehicle but couldn’t provide the necessary documents.
However, the leadership of the association described his detention as flagrant abuse of rule of law and human rights.
This development led to a peaceful protest that was staged in the early hours of Thursday which terminated at the EFCC zonal office at Iyaganku in Ibadan South West local government area.
The protesters had earlier.demanded amongst other things an unconditional release of their colleagues and his personal belongings.
They described the action of the EFCC as illegal and flagrant abuse of human rights.
Armed with placards with inscriptions such as “Orji Chukwuma can not continue to act with immunity” “Harassment and intimidation of lawyer must stop” the protesters vowed not to leave the EFCC premises until their demands are met.
After Nigerian Bar Association protest, EFCC releases detained Ibadan-based lawyer
