IYC Attacks Buhari Over Manhandling And Re-Arrest Of Ex-Nimasa Dg, Akpobulokemi
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has condemned the re-arrest
and manhandling of the former director general of NIMASA,
Mr. Patrick Akpobulokemi by operatives of the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) at the premises
of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
According to the group’s spokesperson, Eric Omare, the
conduct of the security operatives is reminiscent of the
military era and it is the height of impunity which must be
condemned by all lovers of democracy.
In statement made available to our reporter on Tuesday,
December 15, IYC said that Mr Akpobulokemi having been
granted bail on two occasions by courts of law, there is no
basis why the EFCC resorted to force in re-arresting him.
“The conduct of the EFCC in physically beating up and throwing
Akpobulokemi into their vehicle clearly shows that the Buhari led
federal government is not fighting corruption but persecution of
political enemies. Nigerians would recall that during the
presidential campaigns, Mr. Akpobulokemi was accused of
sponsoring hate campaigns against General Buhari, hence the
IYC is not surprised that the Mr. Akpobulokemi is now being
subjected to such cruel treatment,” the statement said.
Speaking further, the group said it is not against the fight
against corruption but maintained that it must be done
within the ambit of the law, respect for human rights and all
inclusive.
READ ALSO : EFCC Arraigns Ex-Nimasa DG, 9 Others Over
N1.2B Theft
“What is presenting playing out is selective and vindictive attack
on political enemies and this must be rejected and condemned
by all. We wish to warn that harassment of political enemies
would not in any way aid the success of the Buhari’s anti-
corruption crusade but would only lead to its derailment.
“We also call on the EFCC to have a rethink on its ill-advised
invitation of Chief Government Ekpemupolo and the threat to
declare him wanted. The IYC strongly feel that such politically
motivated actions of the anti-corruption agency would only
succeed in heating up the polity and cause unrest in the Niger
Delta region. Chief Ekpemupolo having approached the court of
law as a law abiding citizen, the EFCC should wait for the
outcome of the court proceedings. We wish to warn that where a
government adopts illegal means to achieve its motives,
citizens may be forced to resort to self-help,” the group added.
The former NIMASA DG and nine others, including two
companies, were earlier arraigned before Justice Saliu Saidu
of the same court on a separate charge of conspiring among
themselves to divert N3.4 billion belonging to NIMASA. They
also pleaded not guilty to the charge.
and manhandling of the former director general of NIMASA,
Mr. Patrick Akpobulokemi by operatives of the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) at the premises
of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
According to the group’s spokesperson, Eric Omare, the
conduct of the security operatives is reminiscent of the
military era and it is the height of impunity which must be
condemned by all lovers of democracy.
In statement made available to our reporter on Tuesday,
December 15, IYC said that Mr Akpobulokemi having been
granted bail on two occasions by courts of law, there is no
basis why the EFCC resorted to force in re-arresting him.
“The conduct of the EFCC in physically beating up and throwing
Akpobulokemi into their vehicle clearly shows that the Buhari led
federal government is not fighting corruption but persecution of
political enemies. Nigerians would recall that during the
presidential campaigns, Mr. Akpobulokemi was accused of
sponsoring hate campaigns against General Buhari, hence the
IYC is not surprised that the Mr. Akpobulokemi is now being
subjected to such cruel treatment,” the statement said.
Speaking further, the group said it is not against the fight
against corruption but maintained that it must be done
within the ambit of the law, respect for human rights and all
inclusive.
READ ALSO : EFCC Arraigns Ex-Nimasa DG, 9 Others Over
N1.2B Theft
“What is presenting playing out is selective and vindictive attack
on political enemies and this must be rejected and condemned
by all. We wish to warn that harassment of political enemies
would not in any way aid the success of the Buhari’s anti-
corruption crusade but would only lead to its derailment.
“We also call on the EFCC to have a rethink on its ill-advised
invitation of Chief Government Ekpemupolo and the threat to
declare him wanted. The IYC strongly feel that such politically
motivated actions of the anti-corruption agency would only
succeed in heating up the polity and cause unrest in the Niger
Delta region. Chief Ekpemupolo having approached the court of
law as a law abiding citizen, the EFCC should wait for the
outcome of the court proceedings. We wish to warn that where a
government adopts illegal means to achieve its motives,
citizens may be forced to resort to self-help,” the group added.
The former NIMASA DG and nine others, including two
companies, were earlier arraigned before Justice Saliu Saidu
of the same court on a separate charge of conspiring among
themselves to divert N3.4 billion belonging to NIMASA. They
also pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Comments
Post a Comment
Comments......