Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju on Friday criticized the ‘commando-style’ raids conducted by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Adeyanju urged the anti-graft agency to adopt more refined methods to avoid human rights violations.
His statement followed an incident where EFCC operatives allegedly assaulted a lady in a Lagos hotel.
Adeyanju described the EFCC operatives’ actions as a violation of the hotel staff’s rights.
“We have observed with great concern the increasing disregard for citizens’ human rights and the adoption of commando-style investigation and arrest methods by officers of the EFCC,” he said.
“The latest incident involves the unconscionable assault of a staff member at Regional Hotel, Lagos, during the Commission’s ‘sting operation’.”
Adeyanju recalled similar allegations against EFCC officers for using unnecessary force during a midnight operation at a nightclub in Akure a few weeks ago.
He acknowledged the Commission’s power to investigate economic crimes, including cybercrimes, but urged the EFCC to adopt intelligence-based techniques in its investigations and arrests.
“The frequent midnight raids of hotels and other places of entertainment not only adversely affect these businesses but also increase the possibility of innocent persons being caught in the crossfire,” Adeyanju said.
“Citizens’ right to freedom of movement and residence is constitutionally guaranteed and should not be breached under the guise of midnight ‘sting operations’.”
He commended the EFCC’s chairman for the immediate arrest of the officers involved in the Lagos hotel assault but warned the Commission against actions that could lead to public dissatisfaction similar to the ENDSARS protest.
“A word of caution!” Adeyanju concluded.
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