Seven months after a court directed it to do so, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has removed the name of Executive Vice Chairman of Aiteo Group, Benedict Peters from the wanted persons list on its official website.
Justice Othman Musa of the FCT High Court, Bwari Division, had on March 22, 2018, directed the anti-graft body to expunge Peters’ name from the list, saying it failed to obtain a valid court order to put up the name in the first place.
The court therefore declared the EFCC’s action as illegal and unconstitutional.
A constitutional lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, who reacting to the removal, was quoted as saying by Vanguard:
“We wish to commend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), under the leadership of Ibrahim Magu, for living up to its commitment to uphold the rule of law and obey the order of a competent court to remove the name of the Mr. Benedict Peters, from its list of wanted individuals.
“The EFCC has shown a deep regard for the sanctity of the nation’s legal system, and we can confirm that Peters’ name has been cleared. In view of this and based on the fact that the decision by EFCC is premised on a court order, Peters has been legally excluded from the list of wanted persons in Nigeria. He can therefore continue his lawful business and enjoy his constitutionally guaranteed rights.”
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