EFCC Speaks On ‘Collecting Money Before Releasing Detained Suspects’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has said it does not charge any fee from lawyers or family members of detained suspects before releasing them on bail.

Acting Commander of Ibadan Zonal Command of the commission, Halima Rufa’u made this disclosure on Wednesday.

She spoke when she received the executive committee members of the Ibadan branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.

The NBA was led by its chairman, Folashade Aladeniyi.

Rufa’u warned lawyers to desist from standing as “surety” and legal representative at the same time to suspects.

She added that such an act could not only get them into trouble.

She said that such an act does not portray the legal profession in good light.

“In the event the suspect was released and later jumps administrative bail, the Commission will have no choice than to arrest the lawyer first, before going after other sureties”, Rufa’u warned.

Aladeniyi, while speaking, commended the commission for its efforts in curbing cybercrime and related fraud activities in Oyo State.

“I want to commend the Ibadan Zonal Command and the EFCC at large for its activities towards curbing economic and financial crimes, especially cybercrime in the country.

“This is evident in the statistics of convictions secured by the Commission over the years,” the NBA chairman said.