By Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN—THE African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, a non- governmental organization, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to respect the fundamental human rights of the former governor of Delta state, Chief James Ibori.

ANEEJ in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Reverend David Ugolor, reminded the anti-graft agency that the  Federal High  Court in Asaba  had restrained the EFCC from arresting  Chief  Ibori, adding that rather than seek unlawful means to arrest the former governor, the EFCC should  reach out  to  the court  to  contest  the injunction and stop planning to extradite him to the United Kingdom through illegal means.

The group stressed that the rule of law should  guide  the operations  of  the EFCC, adding that the commission should  not allow any political manipulation  to  undermine  its  work.

“We urge  the  leadership  of EFCC to be steadfast  in its commitment  to  respect  the  fundamental human rights of Nigerians and also follow  due  process in carrying out arrest  on those who have case  to answer and Chief  James Ibori should  not be  an exception.

“As  2011 general election  is  approaching, EFCC must be  careful and  learn from past  mistakes  that  largely  contributed  to  some of its failures.

“I think  Nigerians  have not forgotten  the  story of how  EFCC was  used  to  intimidate  political  enemies which   was  not helpful and  we  must, therefore,  be careful  not to unnecessarily  heat up the  system.”

And give  room for  crisis  that will negatively  affect  the current fragile  peace  and  political stability,” it stated.
ANEEJ, however, expressed optimism that the EFCC would  go  a long way  to  help  consolidate  the  current  fragile  political  peace   and also provide  support to the  Acting President Jonathan Goodluck  if it follows  strictly  the  rule  of law and also ensure that it doesn’t resort  to media  grandstanding  as a  vehicle for arresting  politically exposed Individuals.