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| Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen |
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has denied raiding the official residence of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, describing the report as fake news.
The anti-graft agency also threatened to institute a libel suit against a former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, and Afenifere spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, for “purveying fake news.”
“For the record, the EFCC never went to the house of the CJN for arrest neither was an invitation extended to him,” the acting EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, said in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement said, “One of the architects of the fake news, Femi Fani-Kayode, was quoted as saying ‘Why have the EFCC surrounded the home of 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.’
“Another arrowhead of the fake news, Yinka 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 a libel suit against them without further delay.”
Meanwhile, the South and Middle Belt Leaders Forum has condemned what it described as the assault on the person and office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, saying it was unacceptable.
It noted that the criminal charges against the CJN for non-declaration of assets had done severe damage to the judiciary.
The anti-graft agency also threatened to institute a libel suit against a former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, and Afenifere spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, for “purveying fake news.”
“For the record, the EFCC never went to the house of the CJN for arrest neither was an invitation extended to him,” the acting EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, said in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement said, “One of the architects of the fake news, Femi Fani-Kayode, was quoted as saying ‘Why have the EFCC surrounded the home of 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.’
“Another arrowhead of the fake news, Yinka 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 a libel suit against them without further delay.”
Meanwhile, the South and Middle Belt Leaders Forum has condemned what it described as the assault on the person and office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, saying it was unacceptable.
It noted that the criminal charges against the CJN for non-declaration of assets had done severe damage to the judiciary.
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