One of the victims, who described his experience at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, told SaharaReporters that the situation inside the detention facility was particularly disturbing.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has come under scrutiny over allegations that it is increasingly being used to pursue private debts and settle civil and commercial disputes, while some suspects are reportedly held for weeks without being formally arraigned before a court.
SaharaReporters gathered from accounts from persons who said they were detained at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja and information provided by people familiar with some of the cases that several Nigerians have allegedly spent between 40 and 72 days in the commission’s custody without trial.
Those affected include Precious Momo, reportedly detained for 72 days; Stephen Angel, 62 days; John Ugbo, 60 days and still counting; Mahmoud Abubakar, 65 days and still counting; Sadiq Babalola, 45 days and still counting; Oshori Alfred, 60 days and still counting; and Aminu Ahmed, 48 days and still counting.
The allegations have raised questions about whether the anti-graft agency is exceeding its statutory mandate by becoming involved in private debt recovery and contractual disputes that should ordinarily be handled through civil litigation, arbitration or other lawful mechanisms.
