EFCC lays siege to Babalakin’s hospital – Bi-Courtney

By Emmanuel Aziken

Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited yesterday accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of bandit tactics reminiscent of the Sani Abacha regime against its embattled chairman, Barrister Wale Babalakin, SAN.

The company in a statement made available to Vanguard alleged that EFCC operatives numbering over 20 had laid siege on the private ward of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, where Babalakin’s lawyers said he is hospitalized.

The siege of the EFCC operatives, the company’s spokesman, Dipo Kehinde said yesterday, is contrary to the order of a Lagos High Court which granted Babalakin leave to apply for an order to prohibit the Commission or other agencies from arresting the embattled lawyer.

Wale Babalakin

Babalakin was supposed to appear in court last Thursday over allegations of money laundering, among other 26 charges of having helped erstwhile governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori to siphon an estimated N2 billion from the coffers of Delta State.
Babalakin did not appear in court, citing ill-health, but the same day also obtained an order granting him leave to apply for an order to prohibit the Commission from arresting him.

The EFCC has since said that the order does not stop his arrest.
On the seige laid on Babalakin’s hospital bed since last Tuesday, his spokesman, Kehinde said reacted:“It is noteworthy that this brings back sad memories of the days of Gen. Sani Abacha when the rights of Nigerians were trampled upon with ease.

“This is a new trend in judicial administration in Nigeria and it reflects desperation by EFCC to violate provisions of the law and constitution in order to circumvent justice, and a violation of the basic human rights of the citizen.