Civilian court orders Nigerian officer released

A civilian court in Nigeria has ordered the release of a serving colonel who has been detained since December 2015. According to this article:

In a judgment on Monday, Justice Yusuf Haliru directed the respondents to immediately release the applicant on self-recognition, saying his detention for over three months without trial was “‎illegal, wrongful, unlawful and constituted a blatant violation of the fundamental rights of the applicant”. 

The court also ordered immediate release of documents and items the anti-graft agency seized from the house of the applicant. 

Justice Haliru, who cautioned the EFCC and the Army, which he said acted as if Nigeria was still under military ‎dictatorship, said: “The EFCC is a creation of the ‎law. 

“The court will not allow it to act as if it is above the law.

“It is remarkable to note that the motto of the EFCC is that nobody is above the law, yet they are acting as if they are above the law. 

“The EFCC Act is not superior to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

“The respondents in this matter have not behaved as if we are in a civilised society. 

“They have behaved as if we are in a military dictatorship ‎where they arrest and release persons at will.” 

The judge said the constitution stipulated that any person so detained should be charged to court within reasonable time not exceeding two months from the date of arrest. 

Justice Haliru stressed under section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, an accused person is deemed innocent until his guilt is established. ‎ 

He therefore asked: “Why has the 1st respondent kept the applicant without bringing him to court? 

“Why was the applicant, being a serving military officer, who could be easily reached, not granted administrative bail? 

“Or is it that the applicant has been found guilty and already serving his jail term?‎” 

Haliru added: “Nobody should be subjected to the whims and caprices of the EFCC. 

“The essence of the rule of law and constitutional provisions is to ensure a just balance between the ruler and the ruled, between the powerful and the weak. 

“Though the EFCC has the responsibility to investigate financial crime, it must however conduct its operations in accordance with the rule of law. 

“The court is empowered to guard against i‎mproper use of power by any member of the society or agency, EFCC inclusive.‎ 

“The detention of the applicant, for all intent and purposes, is not just unfair but unfortunate. 

“We all support the fight against corruption but it must not be done with utter impunity and disregard to rule of law. 

“The right to personal liberty is guaranteed every citizen of Nigeria by our constitution. 

“Why has the first respondent fail to bring the applicant to court since December 2015? 

“Is it that the first, second and third respondents already sentenced the applicant to jail in their own court. 

“The continued detention of the applicant since December is a blatant violation of his fundamental human right.” 

The Justice Haliru thereafter declared: “The respondents are hereby ordered to release the applicant.”

Another account adds:

Justice Haliru however, refused the applicant’s prayer for perpetual injunction to restrain the respondents from arresting him. He said that such an order will amount stopping EFCC and the Army from carrying out its lawful functions. He also declined to award N500 million damage asked by the plaintiff for the wrongful arrest and detention.