Navy transfers Dada Labinjo from underground detention

Dada Labinjo, a senior officer detained by the Nigerian navy since 2018, has now been transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

When contacted on Monday, Suleiman Dahun, the navy’s spokesperson, had said Labinjo was no more in their custody, but Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told TheCable Labinjo was only released to the anti-graft on Sunday.

“He has just been brought from an underground cell by the navy,” Falana said.

In April, the senior lawyer had raised the alarm over the detention of Labinjo and 66 others all held without trial.

Following continuous pressure on the authorities by Falana and TheCable, the navy had in October transferred the case files of the detainees to the EFCC but withheld that of Labinjo.

Despite two court orders for the authorities to release Labinjo, the navy would deny knowing his whereabouts.

Falana had said Labinjo was being held for an undisclosed offence.

According to him, the trial court had ordered the navy to produce him in court for his arraignment on December 4, 2019.

Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC’s spokesperson, said he would get back to TheCable when contacted for comments.