AbdulRasheed Bawa, the former head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been called for to be released right away or to be charged in court, according to the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
This request was filed on Thursday by Professor Ishaq Akintola, Executive Director of MURIC, who was concerned about Bawa’s ongoing arrest without official charges or a public justification since June 14, 2023.
“Abdul Rasheed Bawa has being held without any kind of justification. This is in violation of Section 36 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which provides a fair hearing, according to Akintola.
He further emphasized that the situation stands in stark contrast to Section 41 of the constitution which guarantees freedom of movement for all Nigerian citizens.
The Muslim Rights Concern, in its statement, pointed out that Nigerians have not heard from the former EFCC boss or his legal representatives, raising the issue of audi alterem partem – the judicial principle of hearing from both sides before making a decision.
Akintola also raised concerns over the comparative treatment of Bawa and Godwin Emefiele, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor.
He said, “If Godwin Emefiele could be arraigned in court twice since his arrest, we wonder what special crime Bawa committed to have warranted his indefinite detention.”
Underscoring the need for due process, the MURIC director lamented the perceived inequality in legal representation, indicating that Emefiele’s purported access to substantial resources might have contributed to the difference in their cases.
The Islamic human rights organization called for the enforcement of Bawa’s fundamental human rights, demanding his release or arraignment before a court where he can be granted bail.
“MURIC demands that he should be set free or brought to court where his charges will be read to him. He should also be allowed to see his lawyer, his personal doctor and key members of his family,” Akintola said.
He concluded his statement by envisioning a Nigeria where every citizen is free from institutional coercion, tyranny, oppression, and socio-economic marginalization.
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