EFCC BOSS

Court renews order for release of Mrs Atuche.

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday again ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release from detention Elizabeth Atuche, wife of Francis Atuche, former Managing Director of Bank PHB.
Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako gave the order following the failure of the anti-graft agency to release or produce Atuche in court as ordered by her on Monday.
At the resumed hearing of the case, Atuche’s counsel, Abubakar Shamsudeen, informed the court that the commission had refused to accept the court order.
He urged the court to make an order that Atuche be released unconditionally, saying that Section 36 of the constitution was very clear concerning the liberty of individuals in the country.
The judge in her ruling directed the EFCC to release her and maintain the status quo.
She said the EFCC had no powers under the law to re- arrest Atuche when she had been granted bail by the court.
According to her, the EFCC cannot overrule the court administratively, they are not above the law.
Nyako said if the commission wanted to re-arrest any accused person that had been granted bail, it should first seek the leave of the court to revoke the bail.
She adjourned till May 26 for further hearing.