Anayo Ezugwu 
A former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development in Abia State, Dr Philips Nto, has decried frequent harassment by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over a case that has lasted for nine years.
He, therefore, asked the Commission to charge him to court if it has sufficient evidence to prosecute him, rather than the current situation of always inviting him to Abuja.
Dr Nto was reacting to an invitation sent to him through a text message by EFCC whereby he was given less than a day to report to Abuja to clear grey areas.
He noted that even when he requested that he should be given some time to prepare himself, the EFCC officer adamantly refused but instead threatened him with an arrest.
Wondering why a case should be investigated for nine years without conclusion, Dr Nto disclosed that he was ready to defend himself in court over his services to the nation as a commissioner between 2013 and 2015.
Nto, however, asked EFCC to refrain from threatening his life since he had consistently obeyed and complied with their invitations for the past nine years.
He said: “I am a lecturer at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. My house is not hidden. I had always responded to their invitation, so I don’t see the urgency in giving me less than a day to travel to Abuja from Umuahia.
“I have requested that they should give me one week to report to their Enugu office”.
He expressed surprise that a pattern has developed that EFCC invites him usually when Christmas is approaching, saying that it was suspicious.
The former Commissioner called on the EFCC chairman, Mr Ola Olukayode to call his officers to order so as not to tarnish his image.
“As a lawyer, the new EFCC chairman should discipline his men to stick to the rule of law in the execution of their lawful duties. The current military style of operation is antithetical to democratic ethos”.
Nto also called on the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to send for his file to investigate what was his real offence and why EFCC should be dragging him over a case for nine years without charging him to court.
