Judge to EFCC: ‘Comport yourself, my court is not a motor park’

Following a suit filed by an Australian Security contractor, Wolfgang Wolfgang Reinl, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), an Abuja High Court Judge, Justice Peter Affen, has slammed the EFCC for trying to intimidate the court and delaying the trial.

Reinl had filed a N2 billion suit against the EFCC for allegedly detaining him since December, 2015, without trial.

He was detained and his travel documents were seized by the anti-graft agency in connection with the trial of Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), the former National Security Adviser (NSA).

He also accused the EFCC of seizing his brother-in-law’s two phones and insisting that the phones will only be released to his wife if she gave them the passwords to his phones, emails, text messages.

However, counsel to the EFCC, Ibrahim Audu, denied that the commission ever detained Reinl or seized any of his belongings.

Reinl’s lawyer maintained that his client was arrested by two police detectives, noting that the EFCC didn’t deny the fact that the two officers worked for the anti-graft commission.

The plaintiff’s lawyer also informed the court that his client was only released after he agreed to a bond that he would honor the EFCC’s invitation anytime he is needed.

While he was still making his case, counsel to the EFCC interrupted him and moved a motion asking the court to dismiss the suit for gross incompetence and lack of jurisdiction.

Justice Affen, reacting to the EFCC’s lawyer, stated that: “You are in court and I am the Dominis Litis here. This is not EFCC office. You must comport yourself. The problem is that you people (EFCC) have too much physical power and you carry it to everywhere you go.”

“This is not a motor park and you must not be throwing your hands anyhow and be shouting. When you come before me, you will never remain the same. You owe the court a duty of deference. Leave your policeman or EFCC powers at the door. Didn’t they teach you that in Law School?”

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