EFCC SHOULD NOT BE A DEPARTMENT IN APC – KWARA PROTESTERS
Members of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, protested at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against the continued detention of a former Governor of the state, Dr Abdufatah Ahmed.
The former Governor has been in the custody of the EFCC in Ilorin since Monday, February 19, 2024, to answer questions on alleged corrupt practices during his time as Governor.
The PDP protesters, chanting anti-EFCC songs, displayed various placards with inscriptions such as, “The opposition cannot be silenced”, “Maigida will not join APC no matter what”, ” EFCC stop the harassment”, “Stop the persecution, Investigate 17bn in secret account”.
PDP State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, (Shollyment), who addressed the press, accused the anti-graft agency of holding former governor Ahmed without regard to the law.
He also accused the EFCC of doing the bidding of the state Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, in a bid to force Ahmed to join the All Progressives Congress, APC, silence the opposition, and turn Kwara into a one-party state.
He said, “The EFCC Ilorin zonal office has shown to be corrupt, and you cannot use corruption to fight corruption.
“We are not against the agency’s claim to fight corruption, but if you want to do so, follow due process.
“What we have now is against the law. You can’t keep a former Governor in detention for more than 48 hours and refuse to charge him.
Adewara also said the former Governor has not eaten since Monday, or allowed to see his lawyers, doctor, and even family members.
“Ahmed has a history of always honoring the EFCC’s invitation. While in office, he always declared the state’s monthly allocation, unlike the present administration.
“We are aware that Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq is the one using the EFCC. The EFCC is now a department in the APC, telling him to join APC.
“If EFCC really wants to fight corruption, let them investigate the N17bn of Kwara state money kept in a secret bank account as we speak.”
The EFCC zonal commander, in Ilorin, Michael Nzekwe, who addressed the protesting party members, however, denied the allegations.
He stated that his lawyers were always with him, while his doctor attended to him today. He also added that the former governor was allowed to eat whatever he wanted.
Nzekwe noted that the EFCC is an independent agency, a creation of law, and will always act in compliance with the law of the land.
He also acknowledged the citizens’ right to protest provided it’s peaceful.
According to him, the agency invited the former Governor following a strong petition written against him.
“He is co-operating and we’re making progress. Let me also state that we are not prompted by anyone. Or when did the EFCC start to be partisan?” he queried.
“We are just doing our job and will be fair as required by the law in its investigation. As soon as we finish, we’ll take the next step.”
