…she accused the EFCC of re-arresting the suspects on the same matter already being handled by the police.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times| A potential conflict is brewing between Nigeria’s foremost anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigeria Police Force over the custody and legal handling of two suspects arrested in connection with an alleged glitch involving a microfinance bank.
The suspects, Illesanmi Olaniyi and Ishola Maruf, were initially arrested by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja on March 17, 2024, over suspected financial misconduct. They were subsequently granted administrative bail-terms that, according to their legal counsel, remain valid and binding.
Speaking on behalf of the suspects, lawyer Khadijah Bayern disclosed that several properties were seized during the initial investigation. These included a Toyota Hilux, a Toyota RAV4, various documents, goods, and personal effects. These items are still reportedly in police custody.
Bayern further noted that the matter is already sub judice, with a forfeiture case pending in court, raising questions about the legal implications of the EFCC’s subsequent actions.
In a petition titled “Double Jeopardy and Intimidation,” Bayern called on the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to wade into the matter. She accused the EFCC of re-arresting the suspects on the same matter already being handled by the police and under active judicial consideration.
According to her, the suspects have now been held in EFCC custody for over 12 days without bail, a move she describes as a violation of their rights and a possible breach of due process.
In a separate letter dated July 29, 2025, another lawyer from the suspects’ legal team addressed the Director of the EFCC’s Special Duty Section 2 (SDC2). The counsel pleaded for relaxation of the strict bail conditions, particularly requesting that Grade Level 14 or 15 civil servants be accepted as sureties, instead of higher-ranking officials earlier stipulated.
The letter also raised urgent health concerns, stating that both suspects suffer from cardiovascular conditions that require consistent medical care. The legal team emphasized the importance of access to healthcare, warning that continued detention without proper attention could pose serious risks to their wellbeing.
While affirming the legal team’s willingness to cooperate fully with the ongoing EFCC investigation, Bayern and her colleagues urged that fairness, legal boundaries, and human rights be upheld.
“The use of overlapping arrests by different agencies over a matter that is already in court is not only counterproductive but has the potential to undermine the integrity of the judicial process,” she stated.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the EFCC nor the Nigeria Police Force had issued an official comment regarding the alleged conflict in jurisdiction or the continued detention of the suspects.
The evolving situation has attracted attention from legal observers who caution that unless properly managed, the matter could set a troubling precedent for inter-agency operations and the rights of accused persons in Nigeria’s justice system.
