Femi Fani-Kayode Slumps in EFCC Custody: We Fear for his Life - aide
Read the press statement
today...
When Chief Femi
Fani-Kayode was rearrested on Friday, 21st of October, 2016, in
the premises of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, we raised a number of
issues which included that the re-arrest was not only unnecessary but that it
was also reckless.
We made known our fears
that Fani-Kayode’s life was in dire danger as long as he remained in EFCC
custody or in the custody of any agency of the federal government based on
discreet information available to us. This is apart from the fact that his
health has been badly affected since his incarceration for a whopping 67 days
based on some questionable ‘detention orders’. This fact is well known to the
EFCC as Fani-Kayode’s lawyers have written several letters to the Commission
reminding them of the health conditions of the former minister of aviation
(Kindly see attached).
It is therefore shocking
that having known these facts, the EFCC still acted in a most unprofessional
and crude way by re-arresting a man who has never been known to turn down their
invitation even for once, who was since granted administrative bail by the same
Commission after meeting the stringent conditions set by them; a man who is
also supposed to be on bail as granted by the courts after fulfilling the
conditions, and who even has his international passport still lodged with the
Commission.
Although Chief Femi
Fani-Kayode was yet to complete the recovery therapy he was undergoing after
spending the initial 67 grueling days in EFCC custody wherein he was also
physically attacked by one of the Commission’s agents, in deference to the law
and the Commission, he painfully but willingly cut short his therapy and
medical checks to attend court proceedings.
One would have thought
that these were enough to convince EFCC that Fani-Kayode was very willing to
face his persecutors in court. But rather than be humane in their conduct, EFCC
hounded him for the umpteenth time on that fateful Friday and have since kept
him in custody.
It is therefore little
wonder that based on the history of his medical conditions which the Commission
is very much aware of, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode slumped while in detention on
Saturday, 22nd of October, 2016.
But for the quick and
professional intervention of the medical team in the EFCC medical facilities,
the story could have been different, it could have been fatal!
We must commend the
medical staff at the Commission’s medical facility. They were prompt in their
response, and very impressive in their care. It is very heartwarming to know
that some professionals have not allowed the political witch hunt and
persecution of political opponents and perceived enemies taint their
professional calling. We hope this extends to all facets of the Nigerian
society.
Nigerians would recall
that we had earlier raised the alarm about the danger in which Fani-Kayode’s
life is right now; we are shocked that that danger rather than ebb away is
becoming a reality slowly but steadily. If not, why re-arrest and keep him in
detention when he has not failed to appear before the Commission or even before
the courts at any time, neither has he ever been declared wanted?
The fresh charges for
which he was said to have been re-arrested were presented to him over the
weekend and they border on an alleged N26m which he was accused to have
collected from the erstwhile NSA, Sambo Dasuki, and he has since signed for the
charges while he waits for his day in court. So, why still detain him if there
is no sinister motive behind it all?
From the foregoing, it
is obvious that this issue about corruption is nothing but an already exposed
façade for the silencing of opposition voices, and keep Fani-Kayode out of
circulation as long as practicable since he is seen by many as one of the
strongest voices against tyranny, oppression and executive lawlessness.
For the avoidance of
doubt, we reiterate our earlier warning that nothing untoward must happen to
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode whether now or in the nearest future. Should anything
happen to him, we can assure those responsible that there would be reactions of
unimaginable propensity.
It is not all sacrifices
that the gods accept. There are some sacrifices that even oracles reject for
fear of untamable repercussions!
Nigerians are watching
and waiting!
Jude Ndukwe
SA (media) to Chief Femi Fani-Kayode
24th October, 2016
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