The spokesman for the immediate former Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obianoon Sunday, he denounced a viral video showing the former governor in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
James Eze, Mr Obiano’s spokesman, in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, said the leaking of the clip was a stain on the image of the EFCC, while condemning what he described as his boss’s appalling treatment in detention.
In the 12-second clip that has gone viral on social media platforms, Obiano, who was wearing shorts and a white shirt, is seen drinking from a bottle in a locked room believed to be in EFCC custody. .
The video has since sparked backlash, with many Nigerians denouncing it and demanding an investigation into its leak on the social media space.
Mr. Eze confirmed that the circulating footage is authentic, adding that it does not adequately portray its director.
“I am confirming what was in the video, and whoever allowed that video to come out and circulate heavily on social media, has no good intentions for the image of Nigeria and the image of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and for the image from my former boss, the former governor of Anambra state,” he said.
He also accused the anti-corruption authority of going after Obiano, saying an accused person is presumed innocent until convicted.
“And I personally think this is a witch hunt as the matter has been addressed with a video recording of the former Governor at the EFCC facility. It makes it very obvious that this is not the usual path of the EFCC as we know it.
“An accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a competent court of law. And that they’re making fun in the media of a video of him in his underpants being circulated in the public, I think the media should be shocked by that because it’s Obiano today, it could be anyone else tomorrow.”
‘Horrible treatment’
He also called for an immediate investigation into “the horrible treatment of a perceived criminal”. He said that people should be treated with dignity.
“Here is a man who did not resist arrest and they are throwing him away in his underpants, that is an attack on the dignity of Nigerians, not just Obiano.
When asked if he had any information about Mr. Obiano’s release, the spokesman said: “I don’t have any information if he has been released. If he has been released, we would be happy, because he has been wrongly detained for crimes that are not so clear.”
When contacted, EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that Mr. Obiano is still in EFCC custody.
Uwujaren declined to comment on the video showing Obiano. He urged our reporter to wait for a press release.
“I am preparing a press release, he said in a terse message sent to our reporter,” he said.
background
Obiano was detained at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Commission sources, who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak to the press on the matter, said Obiano was arrested at the Lagos airport as he was preparing to board a flight to Houston, Texas, United States.
On Friday, the EFCC transferred him from its Lagos area office, where he spent the first night after his arrest, to Abuja.
Although details of the accusations against him are still sketchy, media reports have said that the two-term governor of Anambra is being questioned by EFCC detectives over the alleged misappropriation of public funds, including N5billion Sure-P and N37billion security vote which was withdrawn in cash.
Some of the money is also said to have been diverted to fund political activities in the state.
Obiano was arrested for alleged embezzlement of public funds, including, N5bn Sure-P and N37billion surety vote which was withdrawn in cash. Allegedly, some of the funds were also diverted to fund political activities in the state,” EFCC spokesman Mr. Uwujaren told Punch.
Let us remember that since last year the commission placed the former governor on its watch list.
PREMIUM TIMES reported in November last year that the EFCC, in a letter to the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) dated November 15, 2021, requested the Service place the governor on a watch list and inform him whenever you are traveling. of the country from any of the international airports and other points of entry and exit.
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