- Suspect’s death in EFCC net must be investigated
No one is expected to die in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), although death is not always predictable. When death occurs in EFCC’s cage, it complicates things for the anti-corruption agency, which would need to clear the air.
The death of Arowofela Olufemi, who was being investigated by the EFCC in connection with alleged fraudulent conversion of dividend warrants of over N100 million, put a spotlight on detention conditions at the agency. He was arrested following a complaint by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). EFCC operatives reportedly apprehended him at a bank where he attempted to cash alleged stolen dividend warrants.
A report said the suspect was “offered administrative bail but could not produce a surety to perfect his bail thereby leading to extended incarceration”. According to a statement by EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren, the suspect had complained of chest pains early in the day and was rushed to an unnamed military hospital in Lagos, where he died before doctors could attend to him.
Uwujaren said: “The cause of the sudden death is yet to be ascertained even as the corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the mortuary of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. The family of the deceased has already been notified of the incident while the matter has been reported to the Onikan Division of the Nigeria Police.”
The point about this particular death is that one is too many. It is ironic that a life was lost in custodial circumstances that should offer protection and safety. It is unclear whether the EFCC is structured to respond to health emergencies, like the one that resulted in this suspect’s death. This death calls for a review of the commission’s internal capacity to attend to detainees’ health-related problems before they get out of hand.
While it is true that detainees may affect illness as a manipulative way of escaping uncomfortable detention conditions, the commission cannot be too careful when health is involved because health is a weighty matter. Any detainee under the EFCC’s care should have prompt access to medical attention.
What caused the suspect’s death? Could it have been prevented by a timely intervention by the commission? It is important to shed light on this unfortunate incident to avoid giving the public the impression that detainees may not be safe in the EFCC’s net. A thorough investigation is necessary, and it should be carried out without delay.
In the current climate of political change under President Muhammadu Buhari, and given the intensity of his anti-corruption campaign, it is foreseeable that an increasing number of suspects would find themselves detained by the commission in the days ahead. The new EFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu must ensure that the commission is equipped to handle detainees’ health issues that may arise.
It is a trite but accurate observation that every suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty. So, EFCC detainees, whatever the nature of the allegations against them, should be kept under conditions that are not so restrictive as to deny them the benefit of prompt and proper treatment should they fall ill.
It is reassuring that the EFCC chief said at a ceremony to launch his administration: ”I want to state our resolve not to falter on the well-established tradition of patriotism, dedication, courage and fearlessness, and we will take this responsibility with utmost seriousness that it deserves. There is the need to make sure that whatever is gotten for common use did not end up in private pockets.” The commission should also do its utmost to ensure that no suspect dies in its custody.
