Ijaw Youths Condemn Manhandling Of Akpobulokemi, Accuse Buhari Of Hounding Political Enemies

BEVERLY HILLS, December 15, (THEWILL) – A group, the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, IYC, has condemned in strong terms the humiliation suffered by the embattled former Director-General of NIMASA, Mr. Patrick Akpobulokemi, at the hands of operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, at the premises of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Lamenting that the manhandling of Akpobulokemi by security agents is reminiscent of the military era, it described what transpired yesterday at the precinct of the High Court in Ikoyi as the height of impunity which must be condemned by all lovers of democracy.

The IYC, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare, reminded Nigerians that during the presidential campaigns, the ex-NIMASA boss was accused of sponsoring hate campaigns against General Buhari, adding that it was therefore not surprising that he is now being subjected to such cruel treatment.

The statement reads in part, “Mr. Akpobulokemi having been granted bail on two occasions by courts of law, there is no basis why the EFCC resorted to force in re-arresting him. The conduct of the EFCC in physically beating up and throwing Akpobulokemi into their vehicle clearly shows that the Buhari led federal government is not fighting corruption but persecution of political enemies.

“While the IYC is not against the fight against corruption but it must be done within the ambit of the law, respect for human rights and all inclusive. What is presenting playing out is selective and vindictive attack on political enemies and this must be rejected and condemned by all. We wish to warn that harassment of political enemies would not in any way aid the success of the Buhari's anti-corruption crusade but would only lead to its derailment.

“We also call on the EFCC to have a rethink on its ill-advised invitation of Chief Government Ekpemupolo and the threat to declare him wanted. The IYC strongly feel that such politically motivated actions of the anti-corruption agency would only succeed in heating up the polity and cause unrest in the Niger Delta region.

“Chief Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) having approached the court of law as a law abiding citizen, the EFCC should wait for the outcome of the court proceedings. We wish to warn that where a government adopts illegal means to achieve its motives, citizens may be forced to resort to self-help!” the group warned.