A former publicity secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Douglas Ogbankwa, has urged the new chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to ensure the preservation of human rights.

Mr Ogbankwa, in a statement on Sunday, stated that the appointment of Mr Olukoyede as EFCC chairman was well-deserved. However, he stressed the need to ensure that the rule of law prevailed under his watch.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for selecting a legal practitioner as chairman of the anti-graft agency, adding that Mr Olukoyede must seek to correct past errors.

“The agency, as we have known in time past, had a poor track record of respect for human rights, which, unfortunately, has been condoned by some courts.

“The EFCC must desist from investigating matters of contract since it is not a debt collector, which has been stated in a plethora of cases by superior courts of records.

“It is important for the commission, under the new leadership, to ensure adherence to due process of law in all its activities, being a creation of the law,” he said.

Mr Ogbankwa said the commission must also desist from seizing cars.

“The EFCC Act provides for an interim forfeiture of properties, using ex parte orders. Therefore, any car seized without a court order must be released forthwith.

“To this end, EFCC should stop the practice of seizing cars of citizens without an order of the court.

“The commission should also stop the practice of writing with red paint ‘EFCC, Keep off’ on properties of citizens, except a court order has been obtained,” he said.

Mr Ogbankwa also underscored the need for tracking devices for the agency to monitor all seized items.

He said the agency should note that lawyers are partners in progress, not enemies, as their functions are interwoven.

“So, it is high time there was synergy between EFCC and lawyers to avoid needless litigations and allow for seamless operations of the anti-graft agency,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu had, on October 13, announced the appointment of Mr Olukoyede as EFCC chairman for a renewable term of four years.

(NAN)