EFCC told to give detailed account of all past arrests

The Conference of Nigeria Civil Rights Activists (CNCRA) has charged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to give a detailed account of all the arrests the agency had made in the past.The conference argued that this was necessary as the commission seemed to have outlived its usefulness due to its politici-sation.A statement by the convener of the group, Ifeanyi Odilli and the secretary, Sina Akadiri, alleged that the commission was being used as a witch-hunt against certain individuals in the country, particularly the opposition.The group stated that the recent arrest and arraignment of some past governors by the commission, although a welcome development, led to the asking of questions over the past activities of the EFCC.The group said: 'What is the fate of previous arrests and prosecutions of political office holders, such as EFCC vs Ogbu-lafor; PDP National Chairman; EFCC vs Chief Lucky Igbinedion, a for-mer governor of Edo State; EFCC vs Honourable Ndudi Elumelu; EFCC vs Nnamani, a former governor of Enugu State; EFCC vs Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State; EFCC vs Dimeji Bankole and others and very many others.'In all of the above, not a single suspect was convicted except the face-saving and very ridiculous fine of N500,000 slammed on the former governor of Edo State, who was accused of huge financial crimes.The CNCRA also asked the commission to tell Nigerians the reason why some former political office holders, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had not been questioned over some alleged financial recklessness that occurred while they were in office.It said: 'If the EFCC cannot question the former president over financial recklessness, all charges against the former governors be dropped forthwith as they enjoy the same immunity as provided for by the constitution of Nigeria.'Since it has become a matter of public interest, the CNCRA requires a strong and persuasive explanation on the issues raised herein, failure which the CNCRA will be forced to forward a petition against the Government of Nigeria to the United Nations Secretary- General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, to caution the ruling Government against the use of EFCC to suppress, intimidate and harass past public office holders, particularly those they perceived to be in the opposition.
Click here to read full news..