UPDATED: EFCC Denies Attempted Arrest Of CJN Onnoghen
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has described as “untrue”, the report that its personnel had invaded the Abuja residence of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.
Spokesman of the commission Tony Orilade told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday that the fake news “ is being spread by evil men and women to get evil results.”
Yinka Odumakin, the Afenifere national publicity secretary, had recorded a short video broadcast on social media on Tuesday alleging a raid on the residence of Onnoghen, who had failed to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Monday over charges of non-declaration of assets.
The Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Awassam Bassey, JP also said that the FFCC has not invaded the home of the Justice, and that it could probably be a plan, but not yet effected to his knowledge.
Below is the full text of the statement from EFCC :
The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has been drawn to the falsehood which has been spreading on the social media that the EFCC has arrested the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen. This is not only a figment of the imagination of the purveyor of the fake news, but an evil machination by the creator and carriers of the news aimed at creating anarchy in the country.
For the record, the EFCC never went to the house of the CJN for arrest neither was invitation extended to him.
Several calls and short messages received all point to the fact that the brains behind the fake news had one thing in mind: to act as agent of destabilization. We would not give in to their plots.
One of the architect of the fake news, Femi Fani-Kayode, was quoted as saying “Why have the EFCC surrounded the home of CJN Onnoghen and why are they seeking to arrest him? These people want Nigeria to burn! Buhari call off your dogs before it is too late! This is a democracy and not a gestapo state! In the name of God let this madness stop”. Another arrowhead of the fake news, Yinka Odumakin shared a non-existent video which has gone viral.
We want to assure Nigerians that while we would fight corruption in line with the mandate setting up the Commission, agents of darkness, in the likes of Femi Fani-Kayode, Yinka Odumakin and his cohorts, would never be able to manipulate the people against the Commission.
We also want to assure Fani-Kayode, Yinka Odumakin and other purveyors of the evil news to be ready to defend their actions in the court of law as the EFCC will file libel suit against them without further delay.
