EOCO does not deny suspects access to their lawyers - Raymond Archer
Raymond Archer, Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), defended the conduct of investigators and rejected allegations that lawyers were denied access to their clients in custody on Newsfile on Saturday. Mr. Archer explained that one of the suspects, identified as Hanan Abdul-Wahap Aludibia, former Chief Executive Officer of the Buffer Stock Company, "had fallen ill while in custody and had to be taken to hospital for treatment."
Mr. Archer stated, "When somebody says he is sick, it is a medical condition, not a legal condition," adding "you may be the most intelligent lawyer, but you are still not a doctor." He also denied claims that lawyers representing the suspects were deliberately ignored when they attempted to contact him, saying he routinely receives numerous missed calls while attending meetings, conferences and investigative duties. He said, "I get missed calls a million times," and insisted that failure to answer a call should not be interpreted as an intentional refusal to grant access to suspects. Mr. Archer maintained that EOCO has a standing policy that no suspect is interrogated without the presence of legal counsel. He said that lawyers who arrived at EOCO offices on Wednesday morning waited several hours without seeing their clients because they were processed according to arrival time, and other legal teams, including that of Minkah-Premo, had arrived earlier and were therefore attended to first.
Mr. Archer insisted that the joint EOCO-BNI investigation was being conducted professionally and in accordance with due process, while respecting the rights of suspects and their lawyers.
Quick Summary
EOCO's Executive Director, Raymond Archer, is addressing concerns about the agency's investigative conduct. Allegations have surfaced regarding access to legal counsel for suspects in custody - and Archer is responding.
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