Barrister Rickey Tarfa (SAN) on Monday slammed N2.5 billion suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) because of his recent arrest by the anti-graft agency for obstructing investigations.
Tarfa, who is on administrative bail granted him by EFCC, apart from the monetary compensation also asked the court to direct the defendants, especially Moses Awolusi, the operative that arrested him illegally and the Deputy Director of Operations, EFCC, Lagos Office, Iliyasu Kwarbai, to release his two mobile handsets deceitfully collected from him.
The lawyer in the fundamental human rights suit before the Federal High Court in Lagos is also asking the court to direct the defendants to release his Mercedes Benz SUV with registration No. KJA 700CG unlawfully seized from him.
He further urged the court to order EFCC and its Acting Chairman Ibrahim Mustapha Magu and two other defendants to publicly apologise to him in at least two widely circulated national newspapers, social media and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) as well as Channels Television within 24 hours from the day of the judgement of the suit.
Tarfa is also praying the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining all the defendants and their agents from further violating his rights apart from the payment of N20 million as the cost of this suit.
No date has been fixed for the hearing.
EFCC arrested the lawyer on February 8, 2016 for shielding two Beninois clients, Nazaire Sorou Gnanhoue and Modeste Finagnon, from the agency whose operatives ambushed the businessmen, thereby obstructing investigation.
The EFCC operatives had attempted to re-arrest the Beninois for a separate ongoing investigation, but the move was frustrated by the lawyer.
The commission alleged that Tarfa hid the accused persons in his car from about 12 noon till about 5pm before the EFCC operatives could effect his arrest.
Meanwhile, Rickey Tarfa Chambers condemned the arrest of their principal by the EFCC.
The chambers in a statement by Olusegun Odubela, Partner and Head of Chambers, denied that Tarfa obstructed investigation, but that he was only carrying out his professional duties when the “unconstitutional arrest and incarceration occurred.”
Obstruction of justice: EFCC slams charge against Rickey Tarfa
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign Mr Rickey Tarfa (SAN) on a two-count charge of obstruction of justice and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Tarfa was arrested on Friday, February 5, by operatives of the EFCC in Lagos, when he allegedly hid two suspects – Nazaire Sorou Gnanhoue and Modeste Finagnon, both Beninoise – in his Mercedes Benz Sports Utility car, thereby shielding them from being arrested and willfully obstructing the course of justice.
The suspects were alleged to have fraudulently converted some sophisticated manufacturing equipment belonging to Rana Prestige Nigeria Limited for their own use.
Besides, they are being investigated for alleged tax evasion running into millions of naira.
An operative of the commission who was officially detailed to effect their arrest was reportedly prevented from carrying out his duty by Mr. Tarfa.
The SAN would also be arraigned for illegally and unethically communicating with a judge (name withheld) in a suit involving the EFCC and two companies.
