The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, executive chairman, Ola Olukoyede has directed that sting operations at night time be stopped in all the Commands of the EFCC.
The directive by Olukoyede is in line with the newly-reviewed procedures on arrest and bail of suspects.
He gave the directive in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 in reaction to the arrest of 69 suspected internet fraudsters by operatives of the Ibadan Zonal of the Commission in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Many of the suspects duly profiled by the EFCC have been released, while profiling of suspects yet un-released will be completed, without further delay.
“The Commission wishes to assure the public that it will not relent in its adherence to the rule of law, in the exercise of its mandate,” Olukoyede said in a statement by EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale.
Chronicle NG reports that in the new guideline, premium attention is focused on the rights of suspects, especially where arrest, detention and bail issues are concerned. Operational activities are to be tailored towards relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2011 and the EFCC’s Standard Operating Procedures, SOP.
Specifically, operatives of the Commission are not allowed to demand for professional certificates of sureties as a bail condition. Also, every demand for international passport of suspects would henceforth be exercised with discretion, depending on the nature of the case, personality and country of residence of the suspect.
