Former
Minister of Aviation and spokesman for the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign
Organisation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, has described his experience in detention
as traumatic and depressing.
Fani-Kayode,
who was released on Friday night, said on Saturday that though his freedom
after 67 days in government’s custody would allow him to prepare his defence
for allegations levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, it would be meaningless if other people in detention are not
released.
“It
was quite an ordeal. It was an ordeal. But I thank God that I am free and that
I have been given an opportunity to defend myself in court when the case starts
– I am looking forward to that. Outside of that, the truth is that as long as
others who are also political prisoners and have been falsely accused are still
in (security agencies’) custody our country, then I believe that my freedom is
meaningless.
“So,
until every single political prisoner or every single person falsely accused by
the state, by the government and the EFCC has been released; has been given the
opportunity to defend himself in court; and until that happens, I don’t think
any of us is free. We still have people like Sambo Dasuki, Iyiola Omisore and
many others in prison or EFCC’s custody,” he said.
The
ex-minister also said his release would allow him to prepare for any
eventuality, noting that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government is
intolerant of criticisms.
He
said, “You have people in EFCC custody – husbands and wives locked up for no
good reasons.
It is very traumatic and depressing but now, is not the time to
talk; right now I am preparing my defence. I am preparing for any eventuality
because I know the government is capable of doing anything to anybody at
anytime, who criticises them.
“I
am also preparing and praying for what lies ahead. Whatever the case, the
struggle will continue and then we shall prevail. Those that seek to impose an
ethnic and religious bondage and servitude on people of this nation will not
succeed. And, every Nigerian, regardless of his religious faith or where he
comes from, will and shall be treated equally – and that’s what we are fighting
for.”
Asked
if he ate food prepared for him in prison, he said, “While in prison, I only
ate food that was brought to me by my wife. The prison officials were very
professional. People were treated like human beings and that is to be commended.
But
being in EFCC’s custody is a different kettle of fish. I am glad to be free at
last. I pray that this country is delivered from the sort of evil where people
are just accused and locked up indefinitely and maligned by the press.”
Fani-Kayode
was accused by the EFCC of receiving N840m during the build-up to the 2015
presidential election and arraigned on June 28, 2016, before Justice Hassan on
17 counts of conspiracy, unlawful retention of proceeds of theft and money
laundering.
He
was, however, granted bail in the sum of N250m on July 4. As part of his bail,
he was ordered to deposit his passport in the custody of the court pending the
outcome of the case.
Tags
Politics