Lawyer Demands EFCC Chair Stop Requiring Lawyers To Surrender Phones Before Entering Its Offices, Urges Action Within 14 Days
Chukwudi Nneke Esq., a legal practitioner and human rights crusader, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop compelling visitors, especially lawyers, to submit their phones before gaining access to their various offices across the nation
According to TOP Page Solicitors, the law firm made two attempts to deliver the letter to the EFCC, but the agency declined to accept it after reading the contents.
In the letter, Nneke stated that every time he was denied access to his phone while in the agency’s premises, he would miss important calls from clients, friends, and family members upon exiting.
He further revealed that he lost a high-profile brief due to the agency’s actions, as his client could not reach him because he was compelled to submit his phone. Nneke pointed out that he had perused the EFCC Act but found no provision or case law that supports the agency’s actions, rendering them baseless in law.
Nneke argued that the practice of compelling visitors to submit their phones while accessing the agency’s offices facilitates corruption, as it denies visitors the opportunity to record or video corrupt discussions and practices within the premises. He added that apart from fostering corruption, the practice is uncivilized and dangerous, as visitors and suspects may be targeted, intimidated, and browbeaten. Claims abound that law enforcers use coercion, threats, and promises to obtain statements illegally or to railroad victims into signing statements.
The legal practitioner urged the agency to adopt international best practices, such as the use of body cameras, which would increase public trust in the law enforcement agency by equipping officers with body-worn video. He stated that officers have been disgraced and dismissed when their wrongful conduct has been recorded by individuals and made public.
Nneke has given the EFCC Chairman 14 days to address the issue, failing which he will seek redress in court.
