…CHARGES AGAINST BANKOLE NONSENSICAL -LAWMAKER

 
Former member of the House of Representatives, Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula has berated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the 16-count charge preferred against former Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, describing it as 'ridiculous and nonsensical'.

He said the selective applications of the anti-graft laws, as demonstrated by the EFCC, has dragged its reputation to the mud and called for the immediate resignation of its Chairman, Mrs Farida Waziri.

Arigbe-Osula, who represented Oredo Federal Constituency, Edo State from 2003-2007, in a statement said the handling of Bankole's case has the residual of respect and credibility enjoyed by the anti-graft agency. The embattled Speaker had been in EFCC custody over the controversial N10billion loan since penultimate Sunday.

Arigbe-Osula frowned at the media trial of the former Speaker, while insisting that there was a deliberate misleading of the public by the EFCC.

'…EFCC has become an attack dog for the government of the day against real or perceived dissenting voice to that of the ruling government. This show of shame was prevalent under President Olusegun Obasanjo and must not be resurrected under President Goodluck Jonathan, otherwise, no one will take any anti-graft effort of this administration seriously', he said.

The former Rep said the fight against corruption must be transparent, consistent and non-discriminatory and demanded the immediate resignation of the EFCC Chairman, Mrs Farida Waziri.'It is obvious that with the height of incompetency and selective applications of the anti-graft laws, President GEJ should ask Waziri to resign or be sacked or the National Assembly should consider repealing the enabling law since it has only been used to further the misuse of power, contrary to the purpose of it's establishment', he said.