The All Progressives Congress Youth Forum (APYF), on Monday accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of abusing its powers under the law by sending its operatives to pick up one of the Forum’s founding members, Mr. Abubakar Sidiq Usman, on charges of cyberstalking.
A statement signed by the forum’s National Public Relations Officer, Olu Wole Onemola charged the EFCC to release Abusidiq as they are ready to go any length to secure his freedom.
“From the EFCC establishment act, EFCC is empowered to prevent, investigate, prosecute and penalise economic and financial crimes and is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the provisions of other laws and regulations relating to economic and financial crimes.
“From the aforementioned, the APYF wishes to state in the clearest possible terms that the EFCC lacks the powers to put forward such charges against Abusidiq on the grounds of cyberstalking as it is not within their mandate to do so.
“As an organisation that believes firmly in the rule of law, moving forward the APYF will be utilising all the protections and legal recourses that are available to citizens in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The forum stated that it will write the, Attorney General of the Federation, the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges and also file a freedom of speech fundamental rights enforcement under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria against the EFCC and its Acting Chairman.
The APYF called for the unconditional release of Abusidiq.
A statement signed by the forum’s National Public Relations Officer, Olu Wole Onemola charged the EFCC to release Abusidiq as they are ready to go any length to secure his freedom.
“From the EFCC establishment act, EFCC is empowered to prevent, investigate, prosecute and penalise economic and financial crimes and is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the provisions of other laws and regulations relating to economic and financial crimes.
“From the aforementioned, the APYF wishes to state in the clearest possible terms that the EFCC lacks the powers to put forward such charges against Abusidiq on the grounds of cyberstalking as it is not within their mandate to do so.
“As an organisation that believes firmly in the rule of law, moving forward the APYF will be utilising all the protections and legal recourses that are available to citizens in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The forum stated that it will write the, Attorney General of the Federation, the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges and also file a freedom of speech fundamental rights enforcement under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria against the EFCC and its Acting Chairman.
The APYF called for the unconditional release of Abusidiq.
