The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released a lawyer, Phillip Tunji Ojo, who was detained at its facility in Oyo State, Nigeria. His release comes just 24 hours after his arrest, following a peaceful protest staged by members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The protest, led by the Ibadan NBA Chairman, Ibrahim Lawal, took place at the EFCC’s Iyaganku zonal office. NBA members gathered to demand the immediate and unconditional release of their colleague, condemning what they described as his illegal and unlawful detention while performing his duties.
Lawal confirmed Ojo’s release during a phone conversation with Channels Television on Thursday. He expressed the NBA’s dissatisfaction with the harassment of lawyers by the EFCC and emphasized the importance of the protest in putting an end to such incidents.
“We had to register our displeasure with the EFCC’s actions and demand the release of our colleague,” Lawal stated. “Some of the officers were initially hostile, but following the intervention of the Zonal Director, Hauwa Garba Ringim, Ojo was released.”
Addressing the NBA members who participated in the protest, Ringim called for calm and emphasized the need for greater cooperation between the bar and the EFCC, particularly in the fight against corruption.
The release of Ojo has been seen as a victory for the NBA, which remains committed to protecting its members and ensuring their rights are respected while carrying out their professional duties.
