Rickey Tarfa

Monday was a day of drama in Lagos as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed a two-count charge of obstruction of justice and attempting to pervert the course of justice against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rickey Tarfa.

Contemporaneously, Rickey Tarfa also slammed a suit on EFCC claiming  N2.5 billion damages for his illegal detention over the weekend.Tarfa’s damages claim

Mr. Tarfa was arrested on Friday, February 5 by operatives of the EFCC in Lagos, where he allegedly hid two suspects – Nazaire Sorou Gnanhoue and Modeste Finagnon, both Beninoise – in his Mercedes Benz Sports Utility car, thereby shielding them from being arrested and wilfully obstructing the course of justice.

The EFCC has impounded the car and Rickey Tarfa, as part of his own suit, is asking the court to order the EFCC to return the car.

The suspects were alleged to have fraudulently converted some sophisticated manufacturing equipment belonging to Rana Prestige Nigeria Limited for their own use.

Besides, they are being investigated for alleged tax evasion running into millions of naira.

An operative of the Commission who was officially detailed to effect their arrest was reportedly prevented from carrying out his duty by Mr. Tarfa.

The senior lawyer would also be arraigned for illegally and unethically communicating with a judge (name withheld) in a suit involving the EFCC and two companies.

*Part of the rport sourced from  Premium Times