EFCC Denies Assaulting NBA Makurdi Chairman, Justin Gbagir

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC wishes to
inform the public that claims by one Justin Gbagir, Chairman
Makurdi Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, that he was
assaulted and brutalized by operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Office
of the Commission on June 8, 2021, leading to his being
hospitalized at BUSTH is false, and orchestrated to portray the
Commission as draconian and uncivil.

The Head of Media and Publicity at the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement on
Wednesday.

“Contrary to the false narrative being promoted in the social
media by Gbagir, he was the aggressor as he led a gang of thugs to
breach the security of the Makurdi office in an attempt to forcibly
set free a suspect under interrogation by the EFCC.”

“The standard procedure for effecting the release of suspects in
detention is known to even rookie lawyers. But rather than follow
due process, Gbagir opted for force, recruited thugs and stormed
the EFCC office.”

“In spite of the provocation, operatives of the Commission
handled him with restraint, bent backward by allowing him to meet
with the Zonal Head. But rather than reciprocate, he still refused
to identify himself, against all norms of civility. In the
circumstance, the EFCC Zonal Head had no option than to show him
out of his office and refuse him further entry into the
Commission’s premises.”

“Regrettably, the seasoned lawyer resorted to social media
blackmail, posing in a hospital bed and concocting a fantastic
story of an imaginary assault by EFCC operatives”

“His action is, to say the least indecorous and unbecoming of
the leader of the bar in a state like Benue. He demonstrated
embarrassing insensitivity to the delicate security situation of
the state”

“Gbagir should be remorseful for his misguided action and not
spew untruths in pliable sections of the media.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC wishes to
inform the public that claims by one Justin Gbagir, Chairman
Makurdi Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, that he was
assaulted and brutalized by operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Office
of the Commission on June 8, 2021, leading to his being
hospitalized at BUSTH is false, and orchestrated to portray the
Commission as draconian and uncivil.

The Head of Media and Publicity at the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement on
Wednesday.

“Contrary to the false narrative being promoted in the social
media by Gbagir, he was the aggressor as he led a gang of thugs to
breach the security of the Makurdi office in an attempt to forcibly
set free a suspect under interrogation by the EFCC.”

“The standard procedure for effecting the release of suspects in
detention is known to even rookie lawyers. But rather than follow
due process, Gbagir opted for force, recruited thugs and stormed
the EFCC office.”

“In spite of the provocation, operatives of the Commission
handled him with restraint, bent backward by allowing him to meet
with the Zonal Head. But rather than reciprocate, he still refused
to identify himself, against all norms of civility. In the
circumstance, the EFCC Zonal Head had no option than to show him
out of his office and refuse him further entry into the
Commission’s premises.”

“Regrettably, the seasoned lawyer resorted to social media
blackmail, posing in a hospital bed and concocting a fantastic
story of an imaginary assault by EFCC operatives”

“His action is, to say the least indecorous and unbecoming of
the leader of the bar in a state like Benue. He demonstrated
embarrassing insensitivity to the delicate security situation of
the state”

“Gbagir should be remorseful for his misguided action and not
spew untruths in pliable sections of the media.”