The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it received with shock, report of the ruling by Justice Chizoba Oji of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja committing the Executive Chairman for contempt over the failure to comply with a November 21st, 2018 order of the court directing the Commission to return seized assets comprising a Range Rover (Super charge) and the sum of N40, 000,000.00 (Forty Million Naira) to the applicant.

The Commission described described the ruling as surprising, while adding that it creates a wrong impression of the person of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC as encouraging impunity.

It averred that as far as the relationship between the EFCC and the judiciary is concerned, The Executive Chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa has been an apostle of rule of law, due process, and close collaboration between the two institutions in justice administration. As an investigator, and the only Chief Executive of a law enforcement agency who regularly goes to court, the Executive Chairman will not tolerate impunity or disregard any lawful orders of court.

In a statement the Head Publicity and Media, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, reiterates that Abdulrasheed Bawa, in his capacity as Executive Chairman of the EFCC since March 5, 2022, did not disregard any order of court. adding that for the benefit of the public, the said order of the FCT High Court was given on November 21, 2018, three years before Abdulrasheed became EFCC Chairman.

He stated that the fact is germane as the contempt process is quasi criminal in nature and must be served on the person involved. In this case, Bawa as incumbent chairman of the EFCC, was neither served form 48 nor form 49.”

Despite this fact, the Executive Chairman, upon being aware of the said order of November 21st 2018 had released the Range Rover in question to the Applicant on the 27thof June, 2022 and had approved the process of the release of the remaining N40m.

He spoke further that taking into cognizance the procedural lapse in the contempt proceedings the commission has initiated a process to set aside the entire contempt proceedings and committal of the Executive Chairman for contempt.”

Uwujare however nited that despite the discomfort of this ruling which is seemingly promoted by misinformation, the commission remains committed to working closely with the judiciary in furtherance of the fight against economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

The leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Reuben Fasoranti, has said that he was misinterpreted in the media on the issue between himself and the acting leader of the group, Ayo Adebanjo.

Fasoranti said he never stopped Adebanjo from being the acting leader of the group.A crisis has hit the group as Pa Fasoranti on Sunday blessed the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in what looks like an endorsement to many,while Adebanjo had earlier declared support for the candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, on behalf of the association.In a statement issued on Thursday through his Personal Assistant, Mr Adedapo Abiola, in Akure, Fasoranti said some section of the media’s report was untrue on the matter.

The statement read, “It has come to Papa Reuben Fasonranti’s knowledge that some sections of the media, especially the social media, have been ascribing to him false statements designed to cause confusion and polarise Afenifere.“I have Papa’s permission to say that he has not said Chief Ayo Adebanjo is no longer the acting leader of Afenifere nor that all future Afenifere meetings should henceforth be held at his residence in Akure.

“Papa’s main concern is the interest of the Yoruba in the complex political situation in Nigeria. It is also his concern that Afenifere should survive in dignity and remain a purveyor of the interest of the Yoruba race”.