EFCC reviews suspects’ arrest, bail procedure

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reviewed its guidelines on arrest, bail, and processing of suspects.

The review, which was premised on the need to adhere to the rule of law and international best practices in the treatment of suspects, was rolled out across all the EFCC Commands on Monday, October 31, 2023.

In the new guideline, premium attention was focused on the rights of suspects, especially where arrest, detention, and bail issues are concerned.

Operational activities are to be tailored towards relevant provisions of Nigerian Constitution (as amended), the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2011, and the EFCC’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the EFCC Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the operatives of the anti-graft agency are not allowed to demand for professional certificates of sureties as a bail condition.

Oyewale added that every demand for international passport of suspects would henceforth be exercised with discretion, depending on the nature of the case, personality, and country of residence of the suspect.

He quoted the Director, Legal and Prosecution Department of the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, as warning that “bail conditions served on suspects must be reasonable and practicable to be fulfilled by suspects and their sureties.

“Detention of suspects without a Remand Warrant for unreasonable length of time beyond the constitutionally allowed period must henceforth stop forthwith.”

The EFCC officers were also warned against unwarranted violation of rights of suspects.

Tahir further called for professionalism in all operational activities, adding: “It is time to have a paradigm shift and change the narrative.

“Henceforth, professionalism shall be the watchword. Let’s follow the best international standards worth our identity as a flagship law enforcement agency.”

The Star