The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, to desist from offering “rascally opinions” over the arrest and prosecution of popular crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
The EFCC detained Bobrisky earlier in the week before dragging him to court over alleged naira abuse.
On Friday, Justice Abimbola Awogboro sitting at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, convicted the defendant, who pleaded guilty and pleaded for mercy, but deferred sentencing in the matter to Tuesday, April 9.
In a post on X, Prof. Odinkalu berated the EFCC over the crossdresser’s ordeal.
He said the power of arrest and prosecution is a public trust that should not be weaponised to prosecute those they don’t like.
He wrote, “The @officialEFCC shd be ashamed of themselves. The power of arrest & prosecution is a public trust that shd not be weaponised for the persecution of those whom they don’t like. It is either @officialEFCC is evidently idle or this is clear #AbuseOfPower.
Ystday, @NigeriaGov & @NERCNG hiked energy beyond the reach of most #Nigerians. Today, @officialEFCC orchestrates a lynching of #Bobrisky.
“Ppl who can no longer afford electricity are hailing them because, apparently Bobby is responsible for their poverty. Bobrisky is responsible for rigging ur elections; corrupting ur courts; looting ur Treasury; sending the Naira sky-high; recruiting & paying #BokoHaram & the bandits. He must be the problem with #Nigeria.”
Reacting in a Friday statement, the EFCC described Prof. Odinkalu’s submission which touted Bobrisky’s arrest as evidence of idleness or an abuse of power as “reckless commentaries”.
The EFCC said it views such commentaries from Odinkalu as unbecoming of a former head of a major government agency.
“Okuneye was arrested and arraigned by the commission on the basis of clear cases of abuse of the naira to which he has pleaded guilty.
“Odinkalu has a right to free speech as a Nigerian but such a right should be exercised with decorum and responsibility.
The commission would not hesitate to take appropriate legal actions against such uncouth commentaries against its lawful mandate by anyone.
“Odinkalu is warned and advised to ventilate his rascally opinions more responsibly in future situations,” the EFCC said.