Ibrahim Magu

IDOMA people of Benue State have given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC a 24 hours ultimatum for the release of their son, Barrister Godwin Obla SAN or face massive protests on the streets of Abuja and Lagos and in their offices across the country.

This was contained in a Press statement issued by the apex Idoma socio-cultural organization Ophatoha’ Kidoma in Makurdi yesterday and signed by its Secretary General, Mr. Adoka Adaji. The group said Obia should either be released or charged to court immediately.

” Under the 1999 Constitution as amended, a citizen ought not to be detained for more than 24 hours without being charged to court. In this instant case Barr. Obla has been held for over two weeks in the EFCC custody.”

The statement raised the alarm that phony charges may be proffered against Barr. Obla by the EFCC, adding, that on arresting Barr. Obla, operatives seized his phone and have been fiddling with it in order to come up with trump up charges against him. This, we take exception to.’

“To put the records straight, the case Barr. Obla is being accused of, offering bribe to a Judge is that of EFCC. Is it that EFCC used him to offer bribe in order to get favourable judgment or how? This is the mystery we are yet to unravel.

The statement further reads, ‘Barr. Obla is yet to be paid his legal fee in respect of the case in question by the EFCC. Why must he suffer double jeopardy? No legal fee paid to him and he is being detained by the Commission which ordinarily he should sue for owing him legal fee.’

“As a minority we are being made to face unjust treatment at all times. The Constitution guarantees every Nigerian equal status irrespective of tribe,” the statement concluded.