Inibehe Effiong, a lawyer, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release Baron Nnamdi, an advertising executive.

Nnamdi was arrested in Enugu State for posting “offensive 2023 election messages” on two billboards.

Effiong said in a statement that the EFCC’s justifications for their actions are “baseless, false, and legally unfounded.”

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The lawyer stated that using the commission’s logo or name is not a crime in and of itself.

He insisted that no section of the (Establishment) Act, 2004 makes the mere use of the name or logo a crime.

According to Effiong, citizens have a constitutional duty to assist law enforcement agencies in carrying out their duties under Section 24 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

He advised the EFCC to reward citizens who engage in rigorous public enlightenment campaigns against economic and financial crimes rather than punishing or persecuting them.

“In essence, the Concerned Enugu Citizens in Scotland who sponsored the advertisements are simply carrying out their constitutional obligations.” The billboards’ message is patriotic and timely.

“What crime has the advertisement executive committed to warrant the EFCC’s arrest?” he joked.

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According to Effiong, “Offensive EFCC Campaign Adverts,” as mentioned by the EFCC, is not a crime in Nigeria.

He urged the commission to release the ad executive immediately, publicly apologise to him, and compensate him adequately for the malicious damage to his billboards.

“The Commission should arrest corrupt politicians in Enugu State and across the country who are using stolen public funds to further their insatiable political campaigns and ambition,” the statement continued.