“If we could make ex-Governors take Mugshots, who are you…? – Sulaiman Yahaya recounts Ordeal in the hands of EFCC

Kwara state legal practitioner, Sulaiman Toyin Yahaya Esq. has narrated the humiliation and inhumane treatment received from the officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Mr. Yahaya made this revelation in a statement made available to BarristerNG on Monday.

According to him “I will not dwell into the subject matter that led to my unlawful incarceration by the EFCC which was connected with the fact that I challenged the power of EFCC to withdraw money from my client’s account without an order of Court.”

While commending bar leaders for their timely intervention, Yahaya noted that the commission “has served him with a charge” and he intends to pursue it to prove his innocence.

Read the full statement below

MY ORDEAL IN THE EFCC CUSTODY AND WORDS OF APPRECIATIONS TO THE LEADERSHIP OF THE NBA AND MY COLLEAGUES.

I want to express my gratitude to everyone who took out their time and resources to stand by me and ensured my release from the EFCC unlawful detention.

I appreciate the NBA at the national level under the able leadership of Mr. Y. C. Maikyau, SAN as well as other Bar men and all stakeholders for their concerns and concerted efforts which culminated in my release. Words alone cannot be enough to show how grateful I am to the NBA Ilorin Branch and its Excos. In particular, I appreciate the acting Chairman, Mrs Aishat Temim and all the teaming members of the Ilorin Bar for their love and support during my ordeal in the EFCC custody for over 9 days.

I will not dwell into the subject matter that led to my unlawful incarceration by the EFCC which was connected with the fact that I challenged the power of EFCC to withdraw money from my client’s account without an order of Court. I have been served with a charge. At the appropriate time, I will prove my innocence.

I just want to talk about the humiliation and intimidation I went through in the custody of the EFCC Ilorin zonal command. After I was invited and my statement taken on the 26th July, 2023, I was detained. My phone was seized by the sectional head of AFF department, one Musa acting on the instruction of Zonal Commander, Micheal Nzekwe just because I refused to be forced to take mugshot. I was restricted from making calls except the zonal commander gave order. The provost of the commission by name Mr. Zakari intimidated me numerous times and gave instructions to the sectional head of AFF Department Musa in Hausa language (Not knowing to them that I understand the language of Hausa very well) to make life difficult for me and frustrate me. After I refused to take a mugshot, the EFCC Ilorin zonal commander Michael Nzekwe came to me in the cell thrice, he threatened me that if I didn’t take the mugshot, he would not release me and he is the only one who can save me as nobody has ever entered the EFCC office and released without taking mugshots. He said if he and EFCC as a commission could make ex Governors including the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to take mugshots, who am I to refuse to take mugshot. I was later taken to the EFCC Ilorin zonal commander office when my dad and wife were there for my release. I saw the photographer of the Commission, one Abdulrahman hiding by the staircase to the commander’s office with his camera trying to take my picture. The sectional head of AFF department, Musa in collaboration with other staff also tried to use a phone to take my picture which they planned to later edit to show me with a mugshot.

On Friday, 4th of August, 2023, around 12noon, I was called from the cell and told to write an application for my bail which I did. I was also asked to enter into a bail bond to the tune of One Million Naira which I also did. I was later served with a charge and was asked to go, this is in total disregard to the order of court that ordered for my release unconditionally.

Once again, I appreciate our leaders at the bar, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, Chukwuka Ikwuazom SAN, Charles Ajiboye and other leaders too numerous to mention who personally issued statement and called me to express their solidarity. I also thank my colleagues in the office and all members of Nigerian Bar Association, my family members and other well wishers for ensuring that the rule of law prevails.

Signed:

Sulaiman Toyin Yahaya Esq

CREDIT: BarristerNG.com