EFCC’s official accused of disobeying court order
By Ahmed Ahmed
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been accused of blatant disregard for the rule of law following the alleged defiance of a court order by one of its top officials, Mr. Dare Folarin, the Sectional Head of Economic Governance EG1 at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement issued by Ahmed Sani, Esq of the legal firm Saraki, Ahmed & Partners, Bauchi State made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Bauchi
The lawyers representing Aliyu Adamu and three others, it was revealed that a Bauchi State High Court had issued an order restraining the EFCC from taking any action against their clients pending the determination of an ongoing suit.
However, despite being served with the court order and the Originating Motion, Mr. Folarin allegedly proceeded with the arrest and harassment of their clients.
According to the legal team, Mr. Folarin led an EFCC operation to storm their client’s office, seize documents, and effect an arrest, actions that were carried out in direct violation of the court’s directive.
The lawyers described this as a flagrant abuse of power that undermines the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary and could lead to public distrust in law enforcement institutions.
The legal practitioners also warned that if such lawlessness persists, citizens may begin resisting unlawful arrests, potentially leading to chaos and violent confrontations.
They emphasized that the EFCC, being a creation of the law, must operate within legal boundaries and set an example for accountability, rather than trampling on court rulings.
In response to these violations, the legal team has taken steps to hold the EFCC and Mr. Folarin accountable. They have formally served the EFCC Chairman and Mr. Folarin with Form 48, notifying them of the consequences of disobedience to a court order.
However, in a dramatic turn of events, Mr. Folarin allegedly refused to accept service and even chased a court bailiff out of the EFCC premises, threatening to detain him.
Despite these challenges, the bailiff managed to serve him by throwing the legal document at him, and an affidavit of service has been sworn to confirm the action.
The legal firm further assured the public that if the EFCC and Mr. Folarin continue to ignore the court’s directive, they will escalate legal measures, including serving Form 49 and initiating contempt proceedings.
