IYC Condemns EFCC Treatment Of NIMASA DG

ECOWAS’ distinguished awardee and former Nigeria’s Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) (left), being congratulated by Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, at the 40th anniversary of Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS), in Abuja, yesterday

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide has described the manhandling of the former Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) at the premises of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos as an act of inhumanity to a man who had served the country
President of the IYC, Udengs Eradiri who stated these in an interview with journalists in Yenagoa while lamenting the treatment meted to the former NIMASA boss described the conduct of the security operatives as reminiscent of the military era adding, “it is the height of impunity which must be condemned by all lovers of democracy.”
“We condemned in sting term the aggressive and oppressive tendencies of the security agencies against Niger Delta people and those who served in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“The conduct of the EFCC in physically beating up and throwing Akpoboloukemi into their vehicle clearly shows that the Buhari-led federal government is not fighting corruption but persecuting of political enemies.
He said “though the IYC is not against the fight against corruption, it must be done within the ambit of the law, respect for human rights and must be all inclusive.
“What is presently 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.”
The IYC president warned that the continued arrest of these personalities could trigger instability in the region in near future and urged President Buhari to ensure due process in handling corruption charges.
He called on the federal government to allow the court to prove suspects connected in the corruption charges guilty of the offenses, harassment, intimidation, and unlawful arrest
“We are not against the fight against corruption , if you serve public office, you must be accountable to the people and we will never as an institution support anybody who use public office to steal public funds even as IYC is not justifying crimes, but it’s contents”
“What we are seeing at Buhari anti corruption crusade is that it is targeted at Niger Delta people and those who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
“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.”
Eradiri alleged that the invitation of Tompolo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was a ploy by the federal government to slam terrorism and other related charges on him.
“What is presently playing out is selective and vindictive attack on political enemies and this must be rejected and condemn by all,” he said.