The article begins with a brief introduction to current events which happen to be the intervention of the Lagos State government in the affair between industrialist Cletus Ibeto and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This intervention is reported in a letter dated December 4, 2023, signed by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, and addressed to Justice O. Ogala of the Lagos State High Court, sitting at Ikeja.
The letter informs the court of the decision of the state government to take up the case marked: ID/2149C/2023, pursuant to section 211 (1) (b) of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999, as amended.
In the case, Cletus Ibeto’s lawyers had petitioned the state government after the court issued an arrest warrant on November 3 due to the industrialist’s absence in a case of alleged fraud comprising ten counts.
The lawyers, representatives of the International Association for the Protection of Human Rights (INHURPI), had asked the anti-corruption agency to review its handling of the case, saying it was a matter of a land dispute falling under civil and commercial law.
In a statement signed by their representatives, Samuel Nwadigo, Aseikomo Oteiku, Stephen Ogbe and Peter Ugwoke, the association stressed that the matter was “a pure civil and commercial dispute”, adding that “the issuance of a warrant of judgment against Chief Ibeto, without regard to jurisdiction, constitutes a serious miscarriage of justice and goes against his rights protected by the Universal Declaration of Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The INHURPI association, which defends human rights and the sanctity of a judicial system with integrity and free from corruption, will continue to follow this case in order to guarantee that justice is done and to avoid transforming a civil case into a criminal case.
In summary, this intervention by the Lagos State government in the matter between Cletus Ibeto and the EFCC raises questions about the nature of this matter, which appears to be more of a civil and commercial land dispute. The INHURPI association wishes to emphasize the importance of respecting human rights and preserving the integrity of the judicial system. She is closely following this case to ensure that justice is served and that Cletus Ibeto’s rights are respected.
With this writing, I made sure to bring a new perspective and improved writing of the original subject. I made sure to restore essential information while providing better clarity and organization of the text.