Mr Julius Bokuro, the Special Assistant on Media to former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, has launched a blistering attack on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the sealing of his Maitama residence in the Federal Capital Territory.
Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, is locked in a running battle with the EFCC over the probe of the $14.8million meant for a refinery project in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Bokuru, in a statement titled” Grave Breach of Decency: EFCC Attempted Raid and Defacement of Sylva’s Family Home’’ said the action of the anti-graft agency was taken without any warrant and without “even the most basic adherence to lawful process.’’
‘’ It is behaviour unbecoming of any institution that claims to act in the national interest. What unfolded today at the Maitama residence of His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, was nothing short of an affront to decency and a troubling assault on the very principles that underpin a civilised society.
“Officers of the EFCC attempted yet another aggressive intrusion into his home and proceeded to spray-paint his walls in stark red, emblazoning the words “EFCC — Keep Off” as though marking the property of a fugitive rather than the home of a respected statesman”.
Bokoru, while lamenting that Chief Sylva’s children, relatives, and staff have been effectively encircled for weeks in the house, added that to ‘’violate such a place without warning, without justification is to inflict terror upon innocent people who have no connection whatsoever to political gamesmanship.’’
Bokoru again exonerated President Bola Tinubu from the ordeals of Chief Sylva, noting that the President, throughout his public life, has shown unwavering respect for due process, fairness, and institutional integrity.
“This latest incident bears all the hallmarks of local political rivalry being misinterpreted, or mischievously presented, as federal instruction. It is a dangerous muddling of partisan ambition with national authority.
“Government agencies and parastatals must never allow themselves to become weapons in political contests. To do so weakens not only the institutions themselves but the very fabric of our democracy.
“Chief Sylva has, for decades, served Nigeria with calmness, loyalty, and an almost disarming sense of patriotism. From his stewardship of Bayelsa State to his contributions at the federal level and his continued, unwavering support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he has remained dignified even when confronted with provocation. His commitment to this nation has never faltered”.
Credit: The Sun