Foremost Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has vehemently condemned the detention of Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) saying ‘it’s a rape on democracy.’
Ekweremadu was interrogated and detained for hours on Tuesday at the anti-graft agency’s office over allegations of undeclared assets in Nigeria and abroad.
Ohanaeze reacting in a statement issued in Abakaliki by the National Publicity Secretary of the body, Uche Achi Akpaga noted that: “The arrest of Senator Ike Ekweremadu lends credence to the fact that democracy is collapsing irretrievably.”
The statement read parts; “The so-called panel sought and obtained his Assets Declaration Form but could not look at them since it is clearly out on a vendetta and smear campaign.
“Some of the choice houses which have come under EFCC’s searchlight in the last one year, include those in the UAE, marked: EGG1/1/114 and EGG1/1/115 Emirates Garden, Apartment DFB/12/B 1204 Park Towers, Flat 3604, MAG214 and Villa No.148, MAEEN1 The Lakes, Emirate Hills.
“The others are Boulevard 3901, two flats of Burij Side Boulevard, The Signature; and Room 1903, Hotel Downtown. In the United Kingdom, the politician is reported to have acquired Flat 4, Varsity Court, Homer Street, WIH 4NW London and 52 Ayleston Avenue, NW6, London, while he allegedly secured choice houses, namely 4507 Stella Street, Bellavida Estate, Kissimmee, Florida; 2747 Club Cortile Circle, Kissimmee, Florida and 2763 Club Cortile Circle, Kissimmee, Florida in the United States.
“This is clearly part of the politics of 2019, and is further exposing those who colluded with the dismissed former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike and his cronies to steal and doctor his will.”