Coalition of Non Governmental Organisations in Ekiti State, the Ekiti Movement for Peace and Good Governance (MOPEGO) has decried the arrest and trial of a former Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Senator, Bode Ola by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as an act of witch-hunting and disrespect for rule of law.
Bode Ola was arraigned before the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti today for allegedly operating a cybercafé in his hotel and was denied bail.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Dr Tunji Oluwasanmi, Secretary, Comrade Ebenezer Olaleye and Director of Communications and Strategy, Gbenga Babawibe, MOPEGO accused the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi of complicity in the travail of Senator Ola, saying that “ no official of the government or the ACN was present at the Court today as a confirmation of the insinuation that Senator Bode Ola is being persecuted because of his insistence on his mandate as the rightful candidate of the ACN for Ekiti Central Senatorial district.”
The group said; “If the same Fayemi, who mobilised party supporters to Abuja during the trial of Senator Bola Tinubu could not show any atom of solidarity to Senator Bode Ola, a loyal member of the ACN, it shows that he is happy that the senator is being persecuted.”
“Having disobeyed a court judgment on its previous arrest of Senator Bode Ola over the operation of Cybercafe, the EFCC lacks moral rights to arrest the senator and charge him to court for similar offence.
“How can the same EFCC that refused to honour a court judgment that ordered the commission to pay N50 million as damages to Senator Ola for unlawfully arresting him in 2010 be trying the senator again for the same offence?
“Most importantly, when does it become a criminal offence to operate a cybercafé? And if the cybercafé was used by anyone to perpetrate fraud, what offence has the owner committed? Or can Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr be arrested because someone used Globacom GSM line to perpetrate fraud?
“This to us is unacceptable and the EFCC and its politicians collaborators, especially Governor Fayemi should be told in clear terms that Nigerians are watching every of their moves.”