The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has debunked reports that its personnel invaded the Abuja residence of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)Walter Samuel Onnoghen to effect his arrest describing the purported reports as “fake news”.
The commission in a statement issued by its Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Tony Orilade said ” attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has been drawn to the falsehood which has been spreading on the social media that the EFCC has arrested the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen. This is not only a figment of the imagination of the purveyor of the fake news, but an evil machination by the creator and carriers of the news aimed at creating anarchy in the country.
“For the record, the EFCC never went to the house of the CJN for arrest neither was invitation extended to him.
“Several calls and short messages received all point to the fact that the brains behind the fake news had one thing in mind: to act as agent of destabilization. We would not give in to their plots”, the statement said.
The commission in the statement also said that one of the architects of the fake news, Femi Fani-Kayode, was quoted as saying “Why have the EFCC surrounded the home of CJN Onnoghen and why are they seeking to arrest him? These people want Nigeria to burn! Buhari call off your dogs before it is too late! This is a democracy and not a gestapo state! In the name of God let this madness stop”.
The EFCC also accused the Publicity Secretary of the pan Yoruba socio- cultural organisation, Yinka Odumakin stressing that he is another arrowhead of the fake news. The commission said further that the Odumakin shared a non-existent video which has gone viral.
“We want to assure Nigerians that while we would fight corruption in line with the mandate setting up the Commission, agents of darkness, in the likes of Femi Fani-Kayode, Yinka Odumakin and his cohorts, would never be able to manipulate the people against the Commission.
“We also want to assure Fani-Kayode, Yinka Odumakin and other purveyors of the evil news to be ready to defend their actions in the court of law as the EFCC will file libel suit against them without further delay,” the commission threatened.
The CJN in controversial circumstances was accused of inappropriate declaration of his assets as the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) raised charges against him. Onnoghen however, did not appear before the CCT for trial on Monday as his team of lawyers mainly Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) rallied behind him.
Innocent Odoh, Abuja
