Kukah Visits Efcc Custody, Prays For Obanikoro, Abati, Fani-kayode
The Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev'd Hassan Kukah, on Monday paid an unscheduled visit to the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Abuja, where some prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, are being detained over corruption-related allegations.
Kukah, who was conducted round the detention facilities by the commission's acting chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, described the detention facilities as 'clean and orderly” and prayed for Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Femi Fani-Kayode and Reuben Abati, who are spending their second week in detention.
The priest, who used the visit to assess the state of the detention facilities, expressed satisfaction at the premium attention which the anti-graft agency pays to the well being of the detainees by ensuring that the facilities provided them a measure of comfort.
Recall that Magu had, while conducting reporters round the EFCC cells and clinics in August, challenged Nigerians and organisations to feel free to go and inspect any EFCC detention facility in all parts of the country without notice .
Speaking after the inspection tour, Kukah said, “I discussed with some detained suspects like Femi Fani-Kayode, Musiliu Obanikoro and Reuben Abati; and I am quite pleased they are looking cheerful. Fani-kayode, Abati and Obanikoro.
“I was also happy with the humility of the acting Chairman who took me round and the way he interacted with the detainees. This is what is important for our country so that nobody takes these kinds of things personal. I am happy I came.
“We are all staff of EFCC to the extent that we want a better country and we are doing what needs to be done. We'll continue praying that God guides you, keeps you safe and ensure that we build a country that we all will be proud of. This country has suffered so much, but we hope and pray that we can bring the suffering and trauma to an end as we collectively fight corruption.”
The activist priest, who expressed delight that the detainees appeared in high spirits despite the discomfort of temporary restriction, encouraged them not to be downcast but to see their current travail as divine.