API SEEKS JUSTICE FOR RASHIDA BELLO

The Amazons for Peace Initiative has condemned the actions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for dragging the name of the wife of the Governor of Kogi State through the media and other tabloids by declaring her wanted without Substantive due process as the Due Process Clause provides that no agency, government or law shall deprive any “person” of “life, liberty or property” without due process of law.

The Amazons for Peace initiative as the name connotes is an organization that promotes the rights of women and children through peaceful collaborations with implementing partners.

Rashida Bello is a citizen of Nigeria, a mother and a wife with responsibilities, who is entitled to a fair hearing without intimidation by the anti-graft agency who by law can only declare wanted anyone who failed to honour its invitation on the investigation.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not inform Nigerians of any non-compliance on the part of Rashida Bello to any summons through a letter or any other official mode except for us waking up to a tweet and media houses splashing the news of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declaring her wanted and insinuating that she was at large.

The Founder and Initiator of the Amazons for Peace Initiative, Haj. Nana-Aisha Abu Ali stated that Mrs. Rashida Bello is a woman and as such an “AMAZON” because we consider all women as part of us.

In a recent case handled by Justice Othman Musa, while delivering judgment in a suit No. FCT/HC/CV/23/2017, between the Federal Government (Respondent) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AITEO Group Benedict Peters, he stated that the anti-graft agency can only declare wanted anyone who failed to honour its invitation on the investigation.
“But this power can only be exercised after it has obtained a court order to that effect,” the court ruled.

In denying Rashida Bello the right and honour to be invited for investigation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has by its action bridged her fundamental right to trial, freedom of movement and subjected her to public humiliation thus causing her trauma and we demand an official public apology and justice for Rashida Bello.