A coalition of youth organisations, under the aegis of the Niger Delta Youth Council for Good Governance and the Middle Belt Youth Stakeholders’ Initiative, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reconsider its declaration of socialite, Dr. Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, as wanted.

They said that the declaration by the anti-corruption agency came to them as a rude shock.

In a joint statement issued by Comrade Emma Niboro, Chairman of the Niger Delta Youth Council for Good Governance, and Ali Ameh, Leader of the Middle Belt Youth Stakeholders’ Initiative, the coalition described Achimugu as a committed advocate for youth empowerment and the welfare of the less privileged.

The coalition said, “We know the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, as a man who came with utmost zeal to sanitise the agency.

He has already demonstrated this and we are proud of his achievements so far.

“However, we urge him to resist pressure from politicians, which is a plague that has dwarfed EFCC for several years of its existence. The commission had hitherto remained a tool for politicians to against their perceived political foes and this had always rubbed off on the credibility of the agency.

“The case of Achumugu doesn’t appear to be different in any way, as the haste with which she was declared wanted showed there is a hand of Esau and voice of Jacob.

“Our appeal is that the commission should withdraw the wanted tag on her and give her ample time to report to the commission, as she has never been indicted of any offence whether in Nigeria or outside the country.”

While noting that Achimugu is a global figure, they said they could always vouch for her integrity, adding that, “We know her, she has always been of immense help to the youths and other members of the society. Her closeness to certain politicians should not be used as a tool to persecute or harass her.”