The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were two protests at the EFCC headquarters on Monday with one allegedly organised by members of the opposition party in the state, in support of the EFCC, and the other in support of Bello.

While a protest in support of the anti-graft agency, organised by Kogi Conscience Movement, went on peacefully, the other, which demanded that rule of law be respected in the trial of the former governor, was interrupted by the officers.

Some of the aggrieved protesters under the auspices of Kogi Youth Coalition, who spoke to newsmen, however expressed disappointment over the development.

The leader of the group, Otitoleke Richard, alleged that EFCC had finally fuelled suspicion in many quarters that the purported rally in support of the commission was sponsored by the agency.

Richard, said: “We are here this morning at the headquarters of EFCC in Abuja, addressing a topical national issue that has to do with the rule of law, the defence of democratic governance in Nigeria.

“We have been intimidated, we have been harassed. The EFCC is saying we do not have the right to express our opinion on national issues.

“We have been shot at; they have used their stick to beat ordinary Nigerians that are harmless.

“We’re saying the rule of law must be applied in all corruption files. You cannot fight corruption with lawlessness.”

A member of the group, who simply identified himself as Malik, said it was unfortunate that peaceful protests that were a right of every Nigerian had now been made selective by the commission.

“Why didn’t they attempt to disperse the other group that protested against the former Governor?

“Nigerians should not be fooled to think anybody is fighting any corruption.

“They just want him (Bello) out. Period. But we are saying they can’t disgrace him.

“Yahaya Bello has done more than any governor for us in Kogi State and all these people know.

“This will not make us; to be afraid of asking for our rights. We will continue,” he said.

Abdulmajid Wahab, another member of the group, alleged that the security operatives destroyed one bus and impounded two others.

According to Wahab, they (the officers) said the leader of the protest should come and bail the two vehicles.

At least 10 people were alleged to have been arrested among the pro-Yahaya Bello protesters, and some injured.

All efforts to have a chat with the leadership of the Kogi Conscience Movement, were unsuccessful. (NAN)

A Federal Capital Territory high court, Maitama on Monday slammed N10 million cost on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and three others for fundamental rights violation.

Other respondents were former EFCC boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa, an officer with the agency, Calistus, and Fidelity Bank Plc.

Justice Peter Kekemeke, slammed the cost on the respondents when he delivered judgment in a suit filed by Mr Michael Kundera for enforcement of his fundamental rights.

Kekemeke held that the respondents violated the applicant’s fundamental rights by arresting and detaining him from May 15 to May 16, 2023, without charging him to court or releasing him on bail.

He added that a 75-year-old man should not be subjected to such treatment.

“I hereby declare that the arrest and detention of the applicant from May 15 to May 16, 2023, was unlawful and violated the applicant’s fundamental rights.

“The harassment of the applicant in a matter already decided by the court is a violation of his right, and the 1^st to 3^rd respondents exceeded their bounds.

“The case of the applicant succeeds, and the respondents are ordered to pay the sum of N10 million severally or jointly to the applicant for violation of his fundamental rights,” he held.

The judge also ordered the respondents to pay the sum of N2 million as cost for the action.

Kundera through his counsel, Dr O. Orji in suit no CV/6258/23 told the court that the applicant was invited, detained, and refused administrative bail in a matter decided already by an FCT high court.

He said that the subject matter was a plot of land at the foreign affairs quarters which lawfully belonged to the applicant.

According to the applicant’s counsel, the matter is also pending at the court of appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/533/2021 against the principle of pendente lite.

Orji told the court that the applicant was 75 years of age and did not find it funny being dragged about even when the judgment of the court was shown to the respondents.

The applicant therefore prayed for the order of the court to declare that the arrest and detention of the applicant from May 15 and May 16 was unlawful.

He added that it was unconstitutional and a gross violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights as guaranteed under sections 35 (4)(5) and 36 (1) and (5) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

“A declaration that the respondents have exceeded their bounds by their continued invitation and threats on the applicant.

“Order restraining the respondents from continued invitation, threat to re-arrest and detain the applicant.

“Payment of the sum of N500 million as exemplary or aggravated damages is unconstitutional, inexplicable, unjust, uncouth, and barbaric contravention of the applicant’s fundamental rights.” (NAN)