Julius Bokoru, Special Assistant to former Minister of Petroleum Timipre Sylva, has condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for sealing Sylva’s residence in Maitama, Abuja, describing the action as unlawful and disrespectful.
In a statement on Monday titled “A Grave Breach of Decency: EFCC’s Attempted Raid and Defacement of Sylva’s Family Home,” Bokoru criticised the commission for ignoring due process in its operation.
The EFCC had declared Sylva wanted in November over an alleged $14.8 million fraud. Prior to this, military intelligence agents raided his home, arresting his brother and driver for alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt.
Bokoru noted that the former minister had written to the EFCC last week to propose a mutually convenient date to honour its invitation. He condemned the commission for acting “without a single letter, without a subpoena, without a warrant, without notification, and without even the most basic adherence to lawful process.”
He added, “No courtesy. No procedure. No humanity. It is behaviour unbecoming of any institution that claims to act in the national interest. What unfolded today at the Maitama residence of His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, was nothing short of an affront to decency and a troubling assault on the very principles that underpin a civilised society.”
