A civic group, Africa Center for Good Governance and Corruption Free Communities, has raised concerns over the conversion of a civil case involving a human rights lawyer into a criminal matter.
The group is calling on the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, to review the case.
The case involves Barrister Victor Giwa and two others, which the group said originally started as a civil dispute but was later turned into a criminal case under former AGF, Abubakar Malami.
In a statement by its Convener, Temitope Olubunmi Joseph, the organisation questioned the basis for the change and called for a fresh investigation.
According to the group:
“This is supposed to be a civil matter; the question we should ask is, at what point did it turn into a criminal matter? We know the Honorable AGF Fagbemi and the DPP, Oyedepo, are yet to turn their minds to looking at the matter critically.
“We are using this medium to call on them to revisit this matter and call for a fresh investigation.”
The group also alleged that the previous administration in the Ministry of Justice used its powers to intimidate Giwa and his client, Cecil Osakwe, over a property dispute in Maitama, Abuja.
They said:
“We plead with the AGF to once again look into the matter and order a fresh investigation, so as not to punish an innocent person.”
According to reports, a Federal Capital Territory High Court presided over by Justice Samira Bature had earlier issued an arrest warrant against Giwa, a police officer, Edith Erhunmuuse, and Osakwe over a nine-count charge related to alleged forceful eviction and property damage estimated at ₦300 million.
However, the civic group argued that the eviction in question was carried out based on a valid court order, insisting that it should not have been treated as a criminal offence.
