Senate Decries Arrest of Fani Kayode
July 2, 2008 by
Che Oyimnatumba · Leave a Comment
The Senate yesterday denounced the arrest of Chief Femi Fani Kayode, the immediate past aviation minister and his predecessor Prof. Babalola Borishade. The duo were picked up within the premises of the National Assembly, after honouring the invitation of the Senate Committee investigating the deductions from the Aviation Intervention Funds.
At the public hearing, Fani Kayode and Babalola Borishade plaited eachother with accusations of irregular deductions, which formed the bases of their arrest by EFCC.
Senate quarried their arrest, when they were never declared wanted, fearing that if the security agencies are not checked, their Gestapo method will hamper legislative duties, as those invited by the Senate may not honour the invitation. In angry aftermath the Sentae has banned all security agencies from arresting any person within her premises.
According to Barrister Ashimole Felix, this over zealous attitude by the EFCC will tilt the scale of justice in the favour of Kayode and Borishade as they will attack the flaw in their abduction based on technicalities.
In as much as Nigerians celebrate this arrest, the method is swaying public opinion in their favour. This is against the backdrop that government spin doctors cited lawlessness and abuse of judicial due process as one of the reasons that led to the removal of Nuhu Ribadu as the EFCC boss. If this teething new EFCC boss Mrs. Farida Waziri, is going to operate like this in less than one month after appointment, Nigerians are worried that they will be presumed guilty until they can prove their innocence.
In compliance with the Criminal Procedure Act and Penal Code coupled with the Section 35-36 of the constitution, the EFCC is putting their acts in top gear to arraign Fani Kayode and Borishade within 48 hours. They are expected to appear in Federal High Court tomorrow.
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