Mr. Azibaola Robert, who is currently in the custody of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC), has alleged that the commission is pressuring him to indict ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, who is his cousin.
Robert, who spoke through his brother, Faith Robert, yesterday, at a press conference held in Lagos, alleged that EFCC told him in clear terms to ‘say something to implicate’ his cousin, Jonathan or rot in their custody.
Robert is under investigations over an alleged diversion of $40 million dollars through One-Plus Holdings and a sister company, Kakatar Construction Limited.
The payment was said to have been made by the detained former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).
Speaking with newsmen yesterday, Faith alleged that the commission, on several occasions, told them to advise their brother to cooperate with them, by indicting Jonathan in his statement as a beneficiary of the security contracts.
“They want our detained brother to indict our cousin as a bargain for his unconditional release.
“For your information, Azibaola was taken into custody on March 23 when he went to honour EFCC’s invitation. From March 23 to April 4, my brother was denied access to his family, lawyer and medical care. Afterwards, a magistrate court order was given for another 14 days, which stretched his detention to 27 days.
“However, Azibaola’s lawyer managed to file a suit for the enforcement of his right and asked, for bail which the Federal High Court in Abuja granted him pending his arraignment or completion of the said investigation.
“Rather than obey the court order, EFCC brought our brother to Lagos again, to get another remand warrant which is contrary to law and constitution of the country,” he said. (Daily Sun)