On Monday, October 31st, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah visited Femi Fani-Kayode, Reuben Abati, Obanikoro at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.
Femi Fani-Kayode; former Minister of Aviation, the former junior Minister of Defence Musiliu Obanikoro and Reuben Abati, a former Presidential Spokesperson to Goodluck Jonathan are currently being held by the EFCC on charges relating to the former administration and the 2015 general election.
Bishop Kukah accompanied by the EFCC’s chairman Ibrahim Magu spoke to the trio (Fani-Kayode, Obanikoro, Abati) and encouraged them to be strong as these are trying times for them. Bishop Kukah prayed for and with them.
Also, the EFCC in a statement sent by its spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren said the Bishop commended the commission and its chairman on the state of the facilities in Abuja. Uwujaren said the Bishop who was conducted round the facility by the EFCC chairman expressed delight that the detainees were in high spirits despite the discomfort of being in temporary restriction.
Kukah said: “I was 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 kind of things personal. I am happy I came,”. He added that all Nigerians should see themselves as crusaders of anti-corruption. “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,” he said. “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.
Subsequently, the chairman of the commission assured the trio that their detention is not personal. Magu said: “It is not personal. This is all about Nigeria and making it better. And I think there is a consensus around this.”
