A civic organisation, the Africa Center for Good Governance and Corruption Free Communities, has raised concerns over the handling of a legal dispute involving human rights lawyer, Barrister Victor Giwa, and two other individuals, alleging that a civil matter was escalated into a criminal case by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The group made its position known while calling on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), as well as the Director of Public Prosecution in the Ministry of Justice, Rotimi Oyedepo, to conduct a fresh review of the case.
CSO alleges improper escalation of case
In a statement issued by its Convener, Temitope Olubunmi Joseph, the organisation said the dispute originally started as a civil matter but was later converted into a criminal charge during the tenure of former Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The group expressed concern that the case may have been politically influenced, describing it as a possible witch-hunt against the lawyer and his client, Cecil Osakwe.
It urged the current Attorney-General to take a closer look at the circumstances surrounding the prosecution and order a fresh investigation to ensure fairness and justice.
According to the group, the alleged dispute is linked to a property located at No. 1 Me Long Close, Maitama, Abuja, which it claims was previously subject to civil proceedings.
Call for review of prosecution process
The civic organisation questioned the basis for the criminal charges, asking at what point a civil matter became a criminal offence.
It urged authorities to reassess the file and ensure that no individual is unjustly punished as a result of procedural or administrative decisions made in earlier investigations.
The group also alleged that the previous administration in the Ministry of Justice used its office to intimidate and harass the individuals involved in the case.
Court proceedings and charges
DAILY POST reports that a Federal Capital Territory High Court, presided over by Justice Samira Bature, had earlier issued an arrest warrant against Barrister Giwa and a police officer, Edith Erhunmuuse.
They are expected to be arraigned alongside Cecil Osakwe on a nine-count charge marked FCT/HC/CR/222/2023, filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The charges allege criminal conduct relating to the forceful eviction of occupants and property damage estimated at about N300 million.
However, the civic group maintained that the eviction in question was carried out based on a valid court order, insisting that the action could not have been illegal if it was authorised by the court.
The organisation has therefore urged the Attorney-General’s office to review the case file and ensure that justice is properly served in line with due process.
