In terms of suspects’ handling and treatment, no law enforcement agency comes close to the Economic Financial Economic Commission (EFCC). I have been to most of EFCC’s detention cells (to meet with or bail out clients of course) and I can attest to the fact that EFCC detention centres are properly kept, well-treated and highly organized.
Detained suspects are given food, a nice place to sleep, medical care etc all at the expense of the commission, the only thing that is denied of the suspects is just their freedom; the right to move around and about.
I was with a client the other day at the EFCC, he was detained there and he attested to the fact he was well taken care of for the seven days he spent there before he was granted administrative bail. He was even given access to his gadgets at times to contact his people and to communicate with me, his lawyer.
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EFCC should be applauded for having strong regard for suspects’ fundamental human rights; their rights to basic amenities and they accord suspects with their due respect, protect their human dignity and give suspects human treatment, the only right that is denied of the suspects are their right to freedom or right to movement for the time being they are in detention.
I have yet to hear that an EFCC operative forcefully obtains a confession or statement from a suspect or that they beat up their suspects in detention as we tend to regularly witness or see with the police. No doubt that they can be brash and reckless sometimes while carrying out their arrest especially if the suspect wants to evade the arrest but once they have been able to get the suspect into their facility be rest assured that their rights as human beings are guaranteed and ensured.
This is basically how it should be. That a person was arrested or accused of an offence does not warrant that person to be treated like an animal. Suspects’ rights should be respected and protected at all times even if they are accused of a capital offence. They are still accused persons or suspects until a court of competent jurisdiction pronounces them guilty.
