Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invaded the Abuja home of Chief Femi Fani Kayode on Thursday, May 12, 2016.
Mr. Jude Ndukwe, special assistant for media to Fani-Kayode, a vocal opposition figure and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), informed The Trent of this development by electronic mail on Thursday.
According to Ndukwe, the EFCC operation was “forceful, provocative, and dangerous” and the commission did not have a warrant. He also revealed that this is the fourth time that the EFCC is unlawfully invading the home of Chief Fani-Kayode.
Fani-Kayode responded to an invitation by the EFCC on Monday, May 9, 2016 and was arrested and detained by the commission. According to the commission’s media leaks, he is being questioned with regards to payments he received as director of media and publicity of the Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 Presidential Campaign Organisation which the EFCC says was part of a payment received from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He was granted administrative bail under unusually stringent conditions. He has been unable to meet the bail conditions and remains in the custody of the EFCC.
Ndukwe says that operatives of the commission terrified all the domestic staff in the home where Fani Kayode’s wife, Patience and his infant son live, and ended up whisking away the laundry man in a show of “executive lawlessness, harassment, and intimidation”.
“Earlier today, EFCC invaded the residence of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, even while he is in the custody of the commission,” Ndukwe’s statement said.
“What miffed us most was their mode of operation which was forceful, provocative and dangerous as they wielded their guns with needless threats. The worst is that the invasion was without a warrant as they forced their way in, and after terrifying all the staff at home including the infant, they whisked the laundry man away even though he was later released.
“This is the fourth time the EFCC operatives would be invading Chief Fani-Kayode’s residence in just under a week. We condemn this act of executive lawlessness, harassment and intimidation. Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has served this country even at the highest levels and he deserves some courtesy.
“We call on the EFCC to endeavour to carry out their functions within the ambit of our laws and stop brazenly betraying the fact that Chief Fani-Kayode is under persecution. The world is watching!,” Ndukwe concluded.
