Bankole detained in underground cell

ABUJA—FORMER Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Dimeji Bankole, who is currently facing trial in two courts for
alleged fraud and loan conversion, was in a dejected mood
yesterday following his week-long detention in the not-so-
cosy EFCC custody.
An EFCC operative, who would not like to be mentioned, told
Vanguard that Bankole has obviously lost his cool after more
than seven days in custody.
He said: “The man has lost some of his ‘swag’ after all these
days in almost solitary confinement. He appears dejected
and frustrated at his condition. Everyone who is accustomed
to living lavishly would feel the same way when those
niceties are taken away, even if momentarily.”
The operative noted, however, that the former number four
man in the polity was not enjoying any preferential treatment
from the operatives detailed to guard him, adding: “No; he is
treated like any other suspect in our custody, though we
make sure that he gets access to his lawyers and other
people who matter to the case. Don’t forget that he is being
held under orders from the court.”
Those who have visited him say the former speaker is being
detained in an underground cell at the EFCC headquarters
with only a mat for him to sleep on.”
He said: “Our cells are relatively new and well-kept. Don’t
forget that they are the same cells that held other high profile
suspects including former governors, former ministers and
chief executives of banks, and I do not remember anyone of
them coming back to say we treated them badly.”
Bankole was arrested penultimate Sunday at his Asokoro
residence after weeks of ‘hide and seek’ with operatives of
the EFCC.