The Catholic Bishop of Diocese Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has disclosed that the trio of Femi Fani-Kayode, Musiliu Obanikoro and Reuben Abati, were looking cheerful at the detention facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when he visited.
Messrs. Fani-Kayode, Obanikoro, and Abati are in EFCC custody over the alleged receipt of funds from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under the immediate past administration.
A statement issued by EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren said Kukah made the remark on Monday during an unscheduled visit to the Commission’s detention facility and clinic, where he felicitated with some of the inmates, which included the former ministers and former Presidential spokesperson.
According to the revered priest, who was conducted round the facilities by the acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu, the detainees appeared in high spirits despite the discomfort of temporary restriction.
Bishop Kukah, who prayed for the inmates before his departure, reportedly 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”.
“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’m happy I came”, the Catholic Bishop said.
“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”, he added.
The statement further quoted the EFCC chairman as assuring the inmates that their incarceration was not personal.
“It is not personal. This is all about Nigeria and making it better. And I think there is a consensus around this”, Magu was quoted as saying.
