ABUJA-THE Coalition of United Political Parties,CUPP, yesterday, accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of arresting the personal driver of the suspended Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen. It claimed in a statement, signed by it’s spokesman,Ikenga Ugochinyere, that the move by the anti-graft agency was aimed at forcing the driver, identified as Mr.Emmanuel Essien, to signing what it called an “indicting documents against the suspended CJN.”
It described it as “desperate hunt for evidence to indict Onnoghen after their charges of lies at CCT collapsed.” The full statement read:” Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government today launched a fresh offensive against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, with the abduction of his driver Mr.Emmanuel Essien by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
“This development is coming less than a week after operatives of this heavily partisan anti-graft body invaded Onnoghen’s farm in Nasarawa State. “The Coalition of United Political Parties sees this new offensive against Justice Onnoghen as one too many. “We note that the government, having seen from yesterday’s proceedings at the Code of Conduct Tribunal that the trump up charges filed against him may not fly, has resorted to hunting for evidence to further indict him.
“We reiterate our position that President Buhari is desperate to see Onnoghen resign without any justifiable reasons. “The plan is to ensure that the government and the party in power, All Progressives Congress, completely takes over the Supreme Court ahead of election appeals arising from the governorship and presidential elections. “The CUPP is, therefore, asking President Buhari to direct the EFCC to quickly release all Onnoghen’s domestic workers and also apologise to the CJN since all the lies against him have been exposed at the CCT.
“It will interest Nigerians to know that revelations at the CCT have so far shown that the number of houses and account balance being reported to belong to Onnoghen have been found to be false. “It has also been revealed at the CCT that the case against him was filed even before investigation was done.
“Having suffered this great blow at the CCT and aware that the case against the CJN will fail, they decided to embark on a new offensive to manufacture evidence in order to nail Onnoghen at all cost. “We call on all lovers of peace to stand up to be counted on this matter. They should stand by the truth even at the risk of their lives.”
Vanguard