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.
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| Fani Kayode |
Fani-Kayode, who was released on Friday night, told our
correspondent 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 told
SUNDAY PUNCH.
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.
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