I read the
statement issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
purportedly declaring me wanted as an attempt by that organisation and
its leadership to tarnish my image.
That statement, if indeed it was issued
by the EFCC, is the height of mischief and a deliberate attempt to
assassinate my character. It is now very clear that the EFCC is indeed
playing out the script of persecuting and harassing perceived opposition
groups in the country.
To be sure, there is no basis for the
EFCC so-called statement. Only on Tuesday, May 24, we appeared in court
with the EFCC asking for the permission of the court for an extension of
time in the preliminary objection to a suit filed against me.
The Managing Director of Firmex Gill
which the EFCC joined in their case indemnified me from the company’s
contracts and any such obligations. In other words, there is nothing
relating to me in the company’s contract deal with the Office of the
National Security Adviser (ONSA). The company has even sued the ONSA for
its inability to pay the balance of the contract so awarded to it.
Therefore, I am not aware of any issue
relating to a contract sum of N700 million. There was no issue of N700
million anywhere. The relationship between the company and ONSA is civil
and contractual, which has nothing to do with me. Besides, so long as
their business transactions are legitimate and since I am not directly
managing the company, how am I to know who and who they do business
with?
The EFCC should not be seen playing the
role of political victimisation of innocent individuals, coercion and
blackmail. Sadly that is simply what this organisation has been doing.
Blackmail, I strongly believe, won’t help EFCC. If the organisation and
its leadership think they have any case against me, they should come to
court with their facts. This act of blackmail and deliberate tarnishing
the image of perceived political enemies won’t help the image of the
EFCC and it won’t get it result.
How can you declare someone you were in
court with at 9.00a.m today wanted the same day, a few hours afterwards?
I am appealing to all human rights and civil society organisations to
caution EFCC from damaging my reputation further. If they have facts, I
challenge them to bring them to court and not resort to blackmail,
intimidation and victimization.
Signed:
Senator Iyiola Omisore
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