EFCC Frees Lawyer After 24-Hour Detention, As NBA Protests In Oyo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released Phillip Tunji Ojo, a lawyer who had been detained at its facility in Oyo State.

Ojo’s release comes approximately 24 hours after he was arrested by the anti-graft agency in Ibadan.

The detention of Ojo prompted members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to stage a peaceful protest, demanding the unconditional release of their colleague. The protest, led by the Ibadan NBA Chairman, Ibrahim Lawal, was held at the EFCC’s Iyaganku zonal office on Thursday morning.

Lawal, who confirmed Ojo’s release, explained that the protest was necessary to express their dissatisfaction with what he described as the “illegal and unlawful detention” of Ojo while performing his professional duties.

He also highlighted the need to end the recurring harassment of lawyers by the EFCC.

According to Lawal, some EFCC officers exhibited hostility towards the protesting lawyers. However, Ojo was eventually released following the intervention of the Zonal Director of the Commission, Hauwa Garba Ringim.

In her address to the protesting NBA members, Ringim appealed for calm and called for enhanced cooperation between the Bar and the EFCC, particularly in the ongoing fight against corruption.