Col. Ashinze, a former aide to the erstwhile National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), was clamped into detention on December 23, 2015 in connection with the ongoing investigation into alleged mismanagement of arms’ funds under the immediate past administration. He subsequently filed a fundamental human rights suit seeking an order releasing him on bail but the anti-graft commission and the Army shunned the suit. But delivering his ruling on the suit on Monday, Justice Yusuf Haliru of an Abuja High Court sitting at Jabi while ordering the unconditional release of Ashinze, blasted the EFCC and the Army over Ashinze’s detention without trial, describing it as “‎illegal, wrongful, unlawful and constituted a blatant violation of the fundamental rights of the applicant”. Blasting both organisations further, Justice Haliru said: “The EFCC is a creation of the ‎law. The court will not allow it to act as if it is above the law. It is remarkable to note that the motto of the EFCC is that nobody is above the law, yet they are acting as if they are above the law. “The EFCC Act is not superior to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The respondents in this matter have not behaved as if we are in a civilised society. They have behaved as if we are in a military dictatorship ‎where they arrest and release persons at will. ‎ “The respondents, I must be bold to say- the EFCC and the Army- have behaved like illiterates”. Clearly, this upbraiding does not speak well of the EFCC and the Army. What makes the situation more worrisome is that this is not the first time a Judge will be upbraiding the EFCC, the Army or other law enforcement agencies for behaving as outlaws. Both organisations and others therefore should refrain from actions in future that could portray them in bad light. They should learn to carry out their duties in line with the laws of the land and not see themselves as above the law.]]>