The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently issued a warning against protests by citizens, and this raises concerns about the state of democratic freedoms in Nigeria.

Development Diaries reports that the EFCC alerted the public on what it described as a plan by a shadowy group to instigate a protest against the commission.

EFCC PRESS STATEMENT

EFCC WARNS PROMOTERS OF PLANNED PROTEST

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, wishes to alert the general public on the plan by a shadowy group to instigate a “protest” against the Commission.

In the last couple of days, the group has been… pic.twitter.com/6HKS2DnImR

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) July 3, 2024

According to the commission, a group has been actively campaigning on social media, recruiting impressionable young Nigerians, including students, to take up ‘arms’ against the EFCC in the last couple of days.

The EFCC needs to remember that the right to peaceful protest is guaranteed in section 40 of the Nigerian constitution, which provides that every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons.

Also, the EFCC, as a pivotal institution in the fight against corruption, should be seen as an entity that upholds transparency and accountability. Therefore, issuing warnings against protests appears to contradict these principles.

Protests are a fundamental aspect of democratic expression, allowing citizens to voice their grievances and hold institutions accountable.

The warning could be interpreted as an attempt to intimidate and suppress legitimate expressions of dissatisfaction.

The commission’s focus should ideally be on addressing the root causes of the dissatisfaction that may lead to protests, rather than attempting to prevent the protests themselves.

Engaging with the concerns of citizens and demonstrating a commitment to addressing issues of corruption and mismanagement would be a more effective and constructive approach.

Development Diaries calls on the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to instead of warning against protests, call on citizens to ensure protests are peaceful, alongside calling on the Nigerian police to aid in ensuring peaceful protests.

The commission, and indeed all government agencies, should encourage open dialogue and constructive criticism as part of their operational ethos.

Photo source: EFCC Nigeria