THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and an Afenifere chieftain, Yinka Odumakin on Wednesday over the fake news circulated in the social media the day earlier.
Orilade, who spoke at the conference of Online Publishers Association of Nigeria today in Abuja confirmed the invitation, and said if both men failed to disclose useful information, they may not be released on time.
Fani-Kayode posted a tweet Tuesday afternoon that EFCC operatives had surrounded the residence of the Chief Justice, Walter Onnoghen.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, which he had pulled down, he said “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”.
Odumakin also posted a video claiming to have information about the EFCC’s plan against Onnoghen.
Both claims are false as revealed even by Onnoghen.
Orilade said the news could injure the country’s interest, and said Fani-Kayode and Odumakin would have to explain their action.
In a press release refuting the claims, EFCC described Femi Fani-Kayode and Yinka Odumakin as “agents of darkness.”
Fani-Kayode though has apologised in a tweet, that has not prevented the EFCC from inviting him.
“Yesterday I was informed by usually reliable sources that EFCC were positioned outside CJN’s home. I have since discovered that the men were not from EFCC and I removed the posting. The error is regretted.
“Meanwhile can the Federal Government tell us which agency sent those men and why they beat a retreat? Again is it true that a television journalist was arrested at the scene and his camera and footage confiscated? If so, why?
“Finally is it true that the Attorney General has ordered the NFIU to freeze Onnoghen’s bank accounts. Questions, questions, questions! The tyranny continues unabated.” the post reads.
The acting spokesperson of the EFCC, Tony Orilade also confirmed to The ICIR that the house of the CJN was never visited by the EFCC.
“For the record, the EFCC never went to the house of the CJN for arrest neither was an invitation extended to him,” he said.
Amos Abba is a journalist with the International Center for Investigative Reporting, ICIR, who believes that courageous investigative reporting is the key to social justice and accountability in the society.