Human Rights Enforcement: Fani-Kayode, Odumakin Sue EFCC Over Threats To Liberty
The Oasis Reporters
January 18, 2019
Nigeria’s former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode seems not to be taking for granted the alleged threat said to be made by the anti graft agency, EFCC to sue those they felt circulated what was said to be a rumor that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Operatives were in the vicinity of the residence of the Chief Justice of Nigeria,Walter Onnoghen.
The Agency denied that it was there. However, reports in the media say that the CJN’s bank accounts have been frozen.
The threat to prosecute Femi Fani-Kayode was said to have been at an OPAN conference held recently. Consequently, Femi Fani-Kayode and Yinka Odumakin are suing for the enforcement of their fundamental human rights against any threat of arrest by the EFCC at a Federal High Court in Abuja
Also joined in the suit are the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPS).
Prayers sought include
“A DECLARATION that the Respondent’s public declaration to arrest the Applicants on the basis of spreading false rumours, is an infringement of the Applicants rights and breach of their fundamental rights enshrined…” as guaranteed in the 1999 constitution (as amended).
And “AN ORDER enforcing the Applicants’ fundamental rights and ordering the Respondents to stop issuing threat of unlawful arrest…”
Also “AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION” protecting the Applicants from indiscriminate arrest by restraining the Respondents from threatening, harassing, intimidating, inviting, arresting or detaining the Applicants, by the Respondents, their privies or agents.
Chief Fani-Kayode, former minister of Aviation and Chief Odumakin, the Spokesman of the Pan Yoruba group, Afenifere demand for the sum of twenty million naira (N20m) “as damages for the unlawful threat” against them.
Barr Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume (SAN), former Attorney-General of Imo State, who swiftly filed the case in a couple of hours after been briefed, is standing in for both Chief Fani-Kayode and Chief Odumakin who are the plaintiffs.
Recall that the spokesman of the EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade, while representing the Chairman of the Commission in a Conference Organised by the Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN) on Wednesday January 26, 2019; speaking on the social media rumour of the invasion of the CJN residence had publicly threatened to “invite both Femi Fani-Kayode and Odumakin” and if they fail to honour “the invitation within 48 hours” they will be arrested. And if they honour the invitation but fail to give useful information they will be detained, then the commission will seek to “obtained a court order” to allow the EFCC detain them for a long period while investigating.
He claimed that it was Chief Fani-Kayode and Chief Odumakin that initiated the rumours through their tweet and video respectfully.
The spokesman also vowed that despite that the video had been deleted and the tweet pulled down, with apology, the Commission will not forgive the duo because according to him, it was a serious issue capable of setting the country ablaze.
