A Professor of Public Law at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Richard Aduche Wokocha, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for its professionalism and respect for the fundamental human rights of all its suspects, stressing that it has no odd record of right abuses.
Wokocha gave the commendation on Thursday, December 9, 2020 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while participating in a Two- day Seminar organised by the Rivers State Chapter of the Committee For The Defence Of Human Rights, CDHR, to commemorate the 2020 International Human Rights Day.
According to him, the EFCC has never been reported of torture, assault or any heinous practice while interrogating any of its suspects. “The EFCC is highly professional in carrying out its activities and respects human rights in all its ways ” I have not seen a video of any EFCC’s operative slapping, kicking or molest anyone, I think they should be encouraged”, he said.
Rivers State Chairman, CDHR, Comrade Amado Paul Onuoha, emphasised the overriding importance of respect for human rights, stressing that “the United Nations, UN, declared that there cannot be any meaningful progress in any society that does not respect the rights and dignity of its citizens”.
In its own contributions, a Resource Person from the Port Harcourt’s Zonal Office of the EFCC, Principal Detective Superintendent, PDS Bassey Effiong, who represented the Zonal Head, Deputy Chief Detective Superintendent, DCDS Abdulkarim Chukkol, delivereed a paper on ” Cyber Crimes”. According to him, the EFCC’s consistent war on internet crimes is because such crimes constitute an infringement on the rights of the victims.
He stated that the increase in the use of electronic devices has led to several abuses, resulting in cyber crimes. He identified other factors aiding cyber crimes, as rising unemployment, get- rich- quick syndrome of youths, among others. “To prevent being a victim, one must always update his or her device, good uses of anti-virus and strong passwords, vigilance, refraining from opening links that are not secured and guarding personal bank statements closely”, he said.