Members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) zonal office in Ilorin, the state capital.
The protest was against the continued detention of the former governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, by the anti-graft agency.
It is recalled that the former governor has been in the custody of the EFCC since Monday, following an invitation from the anti-graft agency over alleged financial mismanagement amounting to N10 billion.
The protesters, carrying placards with various messages expressing frustration and anger over the prolonged detention of Alhaji Ahmed, emphasized that he has been held for more than 48 hours without being charged in court.
Led by the state publicity secretary of the PDP, Olusola Olusegun, the people also accused the anti-graft agency of being used by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government to coerce the former governor into joining the ruling APC from the PDP.
Some of the messages on the placards read: “EFCC should stop being a tool in the hands of Abdulrazaq-led APC,” “Governor Ahmed was very transparent,” “EFCC is not a department in APC,” “EFCC, stop the harassment,” “The opposition cannot be silenced,” “Maigida will not join the APC no matter the persecution,” “EFCC, don’t instigate political crisis in Kwara State,” “No to illegal detention. Respect the rule of law,” among others.
The state publicity secretary stated that the protest was staged to express their displeasure against perceived persecution, highlighting that the anti-graft agency had been used against the opposition PDP for an extended period.
He mentioned that the former governor was being denied food, medication, and visitors.
Addressing the zonal commander of the EFCC, Michael Nzekwe, he mentioned that the former governor had yet to meet bail conditions, stating, “We’re following the rule of law in keeping him.”
The EFCC boss also assured that the former governor would be charged in court as soon as the investigation was concluded, adding, “We’re wrapping up. Once we wrap up, the law would take its course. The anti-graft agency, being a creation of law, would not go contrary to the law.”
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“Everything we’ve done is within the ambit of the law. The former governor is cooperating with us, and we’re making good progress following the rules of law. As I speak, he’s with his lawyer SAN; he attends to everyone who comes to see him. He has a doctor who has attended to him. He eats what he wants to eat. I urge us to allow the law to take its course. We’re not partisan nor prompted by anybody. This body is solely sponsored by the federal government.”
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