Just in: Pro-Buhari group threatens EFCC, demands release of blogger
– The All Progressives Congress Youth Forum (APYF) has called for the release of Mr. Abubakar Usman Abusidiq, a blogger
– The forum has called the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to order over their actions
– The forum said these allegations if left unchecked can dent the institutional credibility of the commission
Abubakar Usman Abusidiq
Mr. Abubakar Usman Abusidiq, one of the founding members of the All Progressives Congress Youth Forum (APYF), on Monday, August 8, was picked up from his home by armed operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement signed by Olu Onemola, the national public relations officer of the forum, the commission claims that Abusidiq, who is also a blogger, was arrested and questioned on offences that allegedly contravene the Cyber Crime Act.
According to the statement, Abusidiq was arrested allegedly under the orders of Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the commission.
The statement read in parts: “The APYF wishes to condemn in the strongest possible terms the arrest and filing of spurious charges against Abusidiq, by an agency that has obviously overstepped its jurisdiction and crossed beyond the purview of its responsibilities which are to combat financial and economic crimes.
READ ALSO: EFCC reveal reasons of blogger Abubakar Usman’s arrest
“From the EFCC establishment act, the commission is empowered to prevent, investigate, prosecute and penalise economic and financial crimes and is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the provisions of other laws and regulations relating to economic and financial crimes.”
However, the APYF said that the EFCC lacks the powers to put forward such charges against the blogger on the grounds of cyber stalking as it is not within their mandate to do so.
Meanwhile, the forum in the statement, has said they will be utilising all the protections and legal recourses that are available to citizens in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We will be petitioning the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to call the EFCC and its chairman to order, as these allegations if left unchecked can dent the institutional credibility of the commission in particular, and the perception of the adherence to the rule of law of the entire government.
“We will be filing a petition with the Senate committee on ethics and privileges to express our unease on the abuse of institutional powers by one of Nigeria’s leading institutions in the fight against corruption, and to raise questions on the suitability of the acting chairman to serve in a confirmed capacity.
“We will be filing a freedom of speech fundamental rights enforcement under the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria against the EFCC and its acting chairman on whose orders the armed operatives acted,” it read.
READ ALSO: EFCC under attack over arrest of Abusidiqu
However, the APYF called for the immediate and unconditional release of Abusidiq. They also reiterated their commitment to seeing this government fulfill its mandate to fight corruption and impunity as they intend to hold the government accountable for all its actions.
Abubakar Sidiq Usman, a popular blogger has been arrested by operatives of the EFCC, according to several media reports.
It was gathered that operatives stormed Abubakar’s residence in Abuja as they searched all through his apartment before eventually whisking him away to their headquarters.
According to a source, Abusidiqu’s arrest may be connected to his latest posts on EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu.
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