‘You’re Violating The Law, Release Shehu Sani Now’

The Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has yesterday advised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to release Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly between 2015 and 2019.
The group accused the anti-graft agency of violating both the national and international law.
Sani was arrested on December 31, 2019, for alleged extortion of $20,000 (N7.2million), from the owner of ASD Motors.
Since then, Sani has been detained despite several calls from Nigerians to release him. Rather listening to many Nigerians, EFCC, yesterday, visited his resident in Abuja and searched two of his houses and office.
Mathematically, Sani has been detained for about nine days, which according to SERAP is against the national and international law.
Irked by the continuous detention of Sani, SERAP opined: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should immediately release activist, Senator Shehu Sani detained on allegations of extortion or charge him with a recognizable criminal offence.
“By prolonging his detention without charge or trial, Mr Sani is being treated like a convicted criminal, in violation of national and international law.
“The continued detention of Mr Sani without charge is against the principle of being innocent until proven guilty.
“Nigeria is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Article 9 of the ICCPR states that ‘anyone who is arrested shall be brought promptly before a judge or other officer authorized by law to exercise judicial power’.
“There are similar provisions in the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended). The EFCC should promptly investigate any allegations against Mr Sani and release him on bail pending the conclusion of any such investigation.”