[File Photo] Chairman, Economic Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has threatened to sue former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode and Afenifere chieftain, Yinka Odumakin for their claims that the commission sought to arrest the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.
In a statement signed by Tony Orilade, the acting head of media and publicity for the commission, EFCC called Fani-Kayode and Odumakin to prepare a defence against a libel suit that will be filed.
“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.”
The anti-graft agency denied any alleged plan to arrest Onnoghen stating it 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.”
The agency called Fani-Kayode “One of the architect of the fake news” while quoting the tweet that alleged the arrest of intention to arrest Onnoghen. The former minister has however, deleted the tweet.
Fani-Kayode had tweeted: “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.”
The People’s Democratic Party member admitted his error claiming the men were not from EFCC but insisted that there were agents from the Federal Government seeking to arrest Onnoghen.
Yesterday I was informed by usually reliable sources that EFCC were positioned outside CJN’s home. I have since discovered that the men were not from EFCC and I removed the posting. The error is regretted. Can FG tell us which agency sent those men and why they beat a retreat?” Fani-Kayode tweeted.
The commission also named Odumakin as “another arrowhead of fake news” for sharing a “non-existent video which has gone viral”. In the video which is just over a minute, Odumakin claimed “men of the EFCC are currently at the gate of the CJN to effect his arrest, despite the fact that the matter in issue with the CJN is already in court.”
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