Fani-Kayode: Fayose criticises EFCC for alleged abuse of power

 Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has frowned at the “persistent harassment of Nigerians” by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

He described the continued detention of a former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Warimopei Dudafa, without trial and the invasion of the Abuja residence of former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, as irresponsible, barbaric and undemocratic.
Fayose described it as the height of executive rascality for the EFCC to have held occupants of Fani-Kayode’s residence hostage for eight hours despite that he was only invited to come to the EFCC office on Monday and there was no evidence that Fani-Kayode refused to honour the invitation.

The governor, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka, said, “EFCC, under President Muhammadu Buhari, is acting as if it is above the law and Nigerians, and the international community must remind the commission that we are in a democracy where rule of law is sacrosanct.”

Fayose said actions by the EFCC had shown clearly that it was an instrument of victimisation against the opposition in the country, adding the anti-graft agency should study how other anti-corruption agencies in other countries behave.

He said, “In the case of the former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Jonathan, no one is saying those suspected of corrupt practices should not be investigated and tried, but it is wrong for Warimopei Dudafa to have been kept in EFCC custody for over two weeks without trial.

“Also, it is a demonstration of barbarism for the same EFCC that invited Fani-Kayode to its office on Monday to have invaded his house yesterday, holding the occupants hostage for eight hours when there is no evidence that Fani-Kayode refused to honour EFCC invitation.

“Why the show of barbarism by the EFCC as if Nigeria is now back to 1984 when Buhari was a military dictator?”

He said Nigerians must begin to ask the EFCC what happened to the several petitions written against the ruling All Progressives Congress’ leaders and financiers of Buhari’s election, including former governors.