By Ken Afor
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cautioned Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, a former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), over his remarks on the arrest of controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
Odinkalu, a human rights lawyer, in a series of posts shared on his X account, criticized the EFCC for allegedly misusing its authority to arrest and prosecute individuals, emphasizing that such power shouldn’t be used arbitrarily.
He pointed out the irony of the situation, noting that while the government had recently increased electricity tariffs, the EFCC’s attention on Bobrisky appeared misdirected.
He stressed that attributing societal issues like poverty and economic challenges to Bobrisky was unfounded and unjust.
He wrote: “The @officialEFCC should be ashamed of themselves. The power of arrest & prosecution is a public trust that should not be weaponized for the persecution of those whom they don’t like. It is either @officialEFCC is evidently idle or this is clear #AbuseOfPower.”
He further added, “Yessterday, @NigeriaGov & @NERCNG hiked energy beyond the reach of most #Nigerians. Today, @officialEFCC orchestrates a lynching of #Bobrisky.
“People who can no longer afford electricity are hailing them because, apparently Bobby is responsible for their poverty. Bobrisky is responsible for rigging ur elections; corrupting ur courts; looting ur Treasury; sending the Naira sky-high; recruiting & paying #BokoHaram & the bandits. He must be the problem with #Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, the EFCC in a statement made available to the press described Odinkalu’s remarks as inappropriate for someone who previously held a federal government position.
The anti-graft agency, therefore, called on Odinkalu to exercise caution in his future comments regarding its activities, emphasizing that it would take necessary measures if such statements persisted.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to some reckless commentaries made by a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu on the arrest of Idris Okuneye (a.k.a Bobrisky) by the commission, describing it as evidence of idleness or an abuse of power.
“The commission views such commentaries from Odinkalu as unbecoming of a former head of a major government agency.
“Okuneye was arrested and arraigned by the commission on the basis of clear cases of abuse of the Naira to which he has pleaded guilty.
“Odinkalu has a right to free speech as a Nigerian but such a right should be exercised with decorum and responsibility.
“The commission would not hesitate to take appropriate legal actions against such uncouth commentaries against its lawful mandate by anyone.
“Odinkalu is warned and advised to ventilate his rascally opinions more responsibly in future situations,” EFCC warned.
TheNewDiplomat reports that Bobrisky was on Friday convicted after pleading guilty to a four-count charge of tampering with N490,000 by spraying.
He was convicted by the presiding judge, Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos after a careful review of the facts of the case leveled against him by the EFCC.
The court has set April 9 as the date for the delivery of the judgment in Bobrisky’s case.
