JUST IN: EFCC Invites Fani Kayode, Odumakin Over CJN Fake News
On Tuesday 15th January 2019, reports emerged from various media sources that operatives of the Economic and Financial Commission have invaded the house of the Chief Justice of Nigerian.
The reports were said to have originated for the Former Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani Kayode who is a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr. Odumakin who is a Civil rights activists and leans towards the PDP.
Mr. Fani Kayode posted on social media about it while Mr. Yinka Odumakin posted a video saying he has learned of the EFCC move against the CJN respectively.
Tony Orilade, the spokesman of the EFCC speaking at a conference of the Online Publishers Association of Nigeria said that Mr. Femi Fani Kayode and Mr. Yinka Odumakin may not be released on time if they fail to disclose useful information.
We will recall that after the publication of the fake story on various media platform, the Senior Special Adviser to the CJN Mr. Bassey denied the reports and said it was false
The CJN is facing six count charges before the code of conduct Bureau for not declaring his ownership of his foreign bank accounts. However, the case was adjourned to 22nd January 2019.
Below is the full statement from EFCC as gathered from The Cable Nigeria. They claim EFCC posted it on social media:
THE FULL STATEMENT
The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to the falsehood which has been spreading on the social media that the EFCC has arrested the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen. This is not only a figment of the imagination of the purveyor of the fake news, but an evil machination by the creator and carriers of the news aimed at creating anarchy in the country.
For the record, the EFCC never went to the house of the CJN for arrest neither was invitation extended to him.
Several calls and short messages received all point to the fact that the brains behind the fake news had one thing in mind: to act as agent of destabilization. We would not give in to their plots.
One of the architect of the fake news, Femi Fani-Kayode, was quoted as saying “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”. Another arrowhead of the fake news, Yinka Odumakin shared a non-existent video which has gone viral.
We want to assure Nigerians that while we would fight corruption in line with the mandate setting up the Commission, agents of darkness, in the likes of Femi Fani-Kayode, Yinka Odumakin and his cohorts, would never be able to manipulate the people against the Commission.
We also want to assure Fani-Kayode, Yinka Odumakin and other purveyors of the evil news to be ready to defend their actions in the court of law as the EFCC will file libel suit against them without further delay.
FLASH: As @officialEFCC prepare to sue Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK)… he quickly apologised to the EFCC for posting FAKE NEWS about the “search” on the house of the embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen. #SayNoToFakeNews pic.twitter.com/JjutwH8ncq
— Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) January 16, 2019