Afenifere condemns EFCC’s invitation to Oke, leaving out Lawal

• Anti-graft agency probes ex-SGF
• N’Delta agitators back Buhari, want dissolution of NNDC board

The Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has flayed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for inviting the former Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr. Ayodele Oke and his wife over cash found in their Ikoyi apartment but sparing the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, who was also indicted by the Senate and the panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

In a statement signed yesterday by its spokesman, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, the group said its attention had been drawn to the invitation extended by the EFCC to Oke while Lawal was spared.

However, the EFCC has set up a crack team to probe the fraud allegation against Lawal.

A source in the anti-graft agency exclusively confirmed this to Channels Television yesterday in a telephone interview.

The team, made up of special investigators from the agency, is to examine all the details relating to the N200 million contract for the cutting of grass in the North-East, which is linked to the former SGF.

Meanwhile, a coalition of Niger Delta agitators yesterday applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for relieving the Lawal and Oke of their duties.

It also supported President Buhari’s effort in the development of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

Besides, the group, in a statement, called for the dissolution of the current Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) led by Senator Ndoma-Egba and Mr. Nsima Ekere. It also enjoined the President to suspend the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, for alleged mismanagement of the corporation.

“Finally, we totally condemn the recent stoppage of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) meeting in Port Harcourt by the police and DSS; and we warn that such thing should not repeat itself again as we may not take it lightly.

“PANDEF is the authentic voice of the Niger Delta people and we call on security agencies to immediately arrest the leaders of the Pan Niger Delta Peoples’ Congress (PNDPC) for trying to cause mayhem in the Niger Delta after PANDEF has worked tirelessly to restore peace in the Niger Delta region,” the statement added.

Those who signed the statement included General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators); General Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta Volunteers); General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors); Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters); Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw (Bakassi Freedom Fighters); Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall (Niger Delta Movement for Justice); and Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson (Niger Delta Fighters Network) and Major-Gen. Inibeghe Adams for Niger Delta Freedom Mandate, among others.

Major-Gen. Abiye Tariah for Niger Delta Development Network; Major-Gen. Joshua Ebere for Renewed Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta; Major-Gen. Jeremiah Athony for Movement for Actualization of Niger Delta Republic; Major Francis Okoroafor for Niger Delta Freedom Redemption Army and Colonel Nelson Okochi Walter.