EFCC’s threat of arrest confined Kwankwaso to his residence

The former Kano State Governor, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso’s counsel, Barrister Okechukwu Eze, on Wednesday told a Kano High court sitting in Gezawa that how the Economic Financial and Crime Commission's threat of arrest of his client has confined him to his residence in Abuja.

Addressing the court on the experte motion filed to restraints the Anti- corruption Agency from arresting the former Kano Governor but now Senator representing Kano central explained that the move by EFCC if executed would denied his client fundamental rights.

Eze said “My client has been in his house over the threat of arrest by the EFCC and has been denied the liberty to perform his legislative duties as mandated by voters of Kano central District. ”

Kwankwaso’s Attorney further told the court that the EFCC's action emanated from a petition by ‘unregistered association that has no written address’, as he pointed out that he was in court to halt the likely ‘anticipation of violation’ of his client right.

“We have expressive fear that Kwankwaso’s right to liberty, freedom of movement as guaranteed under the constitution is likely to be violated by EFCC”, Eze stressed.

Eze, who admitted that “EFCC has the power to investigate financial crimes, but however declared that “it should be based and founded on reasonable suspicion”

He argued that Kwankwaso has not violated pension laws to warrant his invitation by the Anti corruption Agency, as he told the court that his client deserved an applause for bringing surpluses to the pension fund.

Subsequently, Kwankwaso’s lawyer prayed the court to restraint the EFCC from arresting him, while he further prayed the court that the status quo ante should be maintained pending the determination of the suit.

Eze pleaded with the court to grant his prayers on the ground that the “injunction would be used as a shield and not as a sword”.

The presiding Judge, Justice Mohammed Yahaya, reserved rulings till Thursday (today).

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