Fayose begs EFCC to release ex-Gov Shema

Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to change its “brutish strategy and style” of arrest and put the rights of Nigerians first.

This is as he faulted the continuous detention of former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema by EFCC.

The former governor has been in the custody of the anti-graft agency at least for 12 days, after he reported to EFCC headquarters on September 16.

But Fayose, through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said the anti-graft agency lacks respect for the fundamental rights of Nigerians as provided by the 1999 Constitution.

“EFCC should release him immediately or charge him to court if there is any evidence of corruption against him rather than acting as if it is law unto itself.

“It is on record that former governor Ibrahim Shema reported at the EFCC office in Abuja by himself on September 16 and 12 days after, he is still being detained by the EFCC and one cannot but ask where EFCC derived its powers to first arrest Nigerians, detain them and be searching for evidences to prosecute them later.”

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“Hope former governor Shema’s incarceration is not because of his perceived presidential ambition? It is unfortunate that a man like Shema, who did exceedingly well as Katsina State governor and even left over N3 billion in the state’s treasury is now being humiliated ostensibly for political reasons.

“In the interest of democracy, rule of law and well-being of Nigerians, this continuous use of EFCC to humiliate and oppress those perceived as threat to the All Progressives Congress (APC) hold on power beyond 2019 must stop.

“Arresting, incarceration and humiliation of notable opposition figures by the EFCC will not translate to success of the APC government and those who want President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed should let him know this.”

“The EFCC must change this brutish strategy and style and put the rights of Nigerians first, Fayose said.

By Ebere Ndukwu …

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