EFCC turns over agents to police for killing a coworker

Apata Odunayo and Ogbuji Tochukwu, two of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s employees, have been detained after they were allegedly involved in a fight that claimed the life of Abel Isah, a cadet with the anti-graft commission’s Sokoto Zonal Command.

According to reports, the suspects were brought before the Chief Magistrates’ Court, Gwiwa in Sokoto on charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.

The anti-graft agency further highlighted that the suspects had been turned over to the Nigeria Police Force by the commission and suspended.

Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC’s spokesperson, made this announcement on Tuesday at a press conference held at the organization’s Abuja headquarters.

Isah was allegedly killed by his senior colleagues Odunayo and Tochukwu after he refused to approve incomplete exhibits that had been taken from a fraud suspect and given to him.

Isah passed away on May 7, 2023, at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto, where he was getting treatment for his wounds, according to Uwujaren, who spoke at the press conference.

He said, “They had disagreed over procedures for the custody of items belonging to a suspect in detention, leading to a fight, a conduct which the commission frowns at.

“The two officers with whom he disagreed have been suspended by the commission and handed over to the Nigeria police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

“The latest information is that a two-count holding charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide has been filed against them at a Chief Magistrates’ Court, Gwiwa in Sokoto.

Both offenses, according to Uwujaren, were in violation of Sections 60 and 191 of the 2019 Sokoto State Penal Code.

The EFCC spokesman stated that in addition to the police probe, the suspects will also be subject to additional disciplinary actions in accordance with the commission’s employee policies.

He cited Abdulrasheed Bawa, the head of the commission, as expressing sympathy to the grieving family.