The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday slammed the ex-chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, for making what it described as reckless statements on the arrest of crossdresser, Idris Okuneye alias Bobrisky.
In a press release made available to the journalists by its spokesman, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency described Odinkalu’s statement as unbecoming of a former Federal Government official.
The agency warned Odinkalu to be careful with future statements regarding its operations as it would not hesitate to take action against him.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been drawn to some reckless commentaries made by a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu on the arrest of Idris Okuneye (a.k.a Bobrisky) by the commission, ascribing it to a sign of being idle or an abuse of power by the commission.
“The commission views such commentaries from Odinkalu as unbecoming of a former head of a major government agency.
“Okuneye was arrested and arraigned by the commission based on 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 a sense of decency 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,” EFCC warned.
Recall that Odinkalu, who reacted to the arrest of the crossdresser Bobrisky by the EFCC on his verified X post, had said the power of arrest and prosecution is a public trust that should not be weaponized 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 should not be weaponized for the persecution of those whom they don’t like. It is either @officialEFCC is idle or this is clear #AbuseOfPower.
“Yesterday, @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; and recruiting & paying #BokoHaram & the bandits. He must be the problem with #Nigeria.”
