*Photo:Mr Maxwell Opara, a lawyer to an NGO, the Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT), addressing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja*
An NGO, the Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT), on Wednesday commended the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, for his resolve to enforce court orders over a disputed property in Abuja.
Lawyer to INAHURAT, Mr Maxwell Opara, gave the commendation at a press briefing in Abuja.
Opara praised the EFCC leadership for ensuring that the rule of law prevailed in the enforcement of successive interim forfeiture orders issued by the Federal High Court on a property located at Plot 4022, O.B. Lulu-Briggs Street, Guzape, Abuja.
According to Opara, the property is at the centre of a long-running dispute involving a woman identified as Mrs Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, also known as Hajia Bilikisu.
Mrs Godwin-Isaac is presently being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The lawyer, therefore, alleged that EFCC operatives encountered stiff resistance while attempting to execute the court orders on Monday.
He claimed that armed guards stationed at the property resisted the operation by deploying chemical sprays and tear gas against the anti-graft agency’s personnel.
Despite the confrontation, Opara said the EFCC tactical team successfully secured the premises and arrested several individuals allegedly found providing security at the property without official deployment orders.
“We commend the courage and professionalism displayed by the EFCC operatives.
“They stood their ground under intense resistance and successfully enforced valid court orders,” he said.
Opara also praised EFCC chairman for authorising the enforcement exercise, saying the action demonstrated the commission’s commitment to ensuring that no individual is above the law.
He, however, raised concerns over the alleged involvement of police officers at the property.
He, therefore, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to order a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged deployment of armed officers to the residence.
The lawyer equally appealed to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice to issue a fiat to take over the ongoing police prosecution involving the disputed property.
He argued that the matter should be handled independently to avoid any perception of institutional bias.