EFCC Has No Power To Deploy Military In Operations, Says Group

A group, Civil Rights Realisation And Advancement Network (CRRAN), has declared that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  has no power to deploy the military in its operations.

President of the group, Olu Omotayo disclosed this while reacting to EFCC’s statement that it would arraign the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, even if it means using the military.

In a statement made available to journalists in Enugu, Omotayo maintained that it was unfortunate that the statement was made in the temple of justice.

He noted that the deployment of the military in any operation, even by the president, is subject to the provisions of Section 217 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The EFCC does not have the power to deploy the military in its’ operation. The deployment of the military in any operation, even by the President is subject to the provisions of Section 217 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the court has affirmed this position of the law,” he stated.

Omotayo noted that the issue in Kogi is neither an emergency nor insurrection to warrant the deployment of the military through the President and the National Assembly.

He urged the citizens to be vigilant to protect the fundamental rights guaranteed them by the Constitution so that any institution while attempting to act ultra vires can be quickly halted while galloping along the road of lawlessness and impunity.