APC Youths to EFCC: You have no right to arrest blogger
The All Progressives Congress Youth Forum (APYF), on Monday (August 8th,) night 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 “Abusidiq” Sidiq Usman, on charges of cyberstalking.
A statement released by the EFCC earlier on Monday claimed that Abusidiq was arrested and questioned on offences that allegedly contravene the Cyber Crime Act.
In
a statement signed by Olu Onemola, the National Public Relations
Officer of the Forum, the APYF condemned the filing of spurious charges
against Abusidiq, stating that if the EFCC’s actions was left unchecked,
it could dent the institutional credibility of the financial watchdog
and the perception of the adherence to the rule of law of the entire
President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government.
The
APYF further stated that it would be utilising all the protections and
legal recourses that are available to citizens in the Constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We
will be petitioning the Attorney General of the Federation to call the
EFCC and its Chairman to order,” the APYF said, “We will [also] be
filing a petition with the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges to
express our unease on the abuse of institutional powers by one of
Nigeria’s leading institutions.”
The
APYF also stated that it would be filing a freedom of speech
fundamental rights enforcement under the 1999 Constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria against the EFCC and its Acting Chairman —
on whose orders the armed operatives acted.
The
Forum further called for the immediate and unconditional release of
Abusidiq, stating that it intended to see the government fulfil its
mandate to fight corruption and impunity, hence, it would be holding the
government accountable for all its actions.
Read the Full Statement Below:
CALLING THE EFCC TO ORDER: STATEMENT BY THE APYF ON THE ARREST OF ABUSIDIQ
On
Monday, August 8th, 2016, one of the founding members of the All
Progressives Congress Youth Forum (APYF), Mr. Abubakar Sidiq Usman
(Abusidiq), the founder and owner of the blog abusidiqu.com
was picked up from his home by armed operatives of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), purportedly under the orders of the
Acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu.
A
statement released by the Commission claims that Abusidiq was arrested
and questioned on offences that allegedly contravene the Cyber Crime
Act.
The
APYF wishes to condemn in the strongest possible terms the arrest and
filing of spurious charges against Abusidiq, by an agency that has
obviously overstepped its jurisdiction and crossed beyond the purview of
its responsibilities which are to combat financial and economic
crimes.
From
the EFCC establishment act, “The Commission 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.
1.
We will be petitioning the Attorney General of the Federation to call
the EFCC and its Chairman to order - as these allegations if left
unchecked can dent the institutional credibility of the Commission in
particular, and the perception of the adherence to the rule of law of
the entire government.
2.
We will be filing a petition with the Senate Committee on Ethics and
Privileges to express our unease on the abuse of institutional powers by
one of Nigeria’s leading institutions in the fight against corruption,
and to raise questions on the suitability of the Acting Chairman to
serve in a confirmed capacity.
3.
We will be filing a freedom of speech fundamental rights enforcement
under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria against
the EFCC and its Acting Chairman — on whose orders the armed operatives
acted.
In
this regard, the APYF calls for the immediate and unconditional release
of Abusidiq, and wishes to reiterate our commitment to seeing this
government fulfil its mandate to fight corruption and impunity. Hence,
we intend to do so by holding the government accountable for all its
actions. Now, and always.
Signed:
Olu Wole Onemola
APYF National PRO
