APC Chieftain calls for immediate release of ex-NIMASA DG

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State and former Ag Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Pastor Power Ziakede Aginighan, has expressed shock over what he described as horrific manhandling of the immediate past Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Pastor Power Aginighan in a press statement said that to treat Dr. Akpobolokemi who has never refused to honour an invitation by the EFCC as an unrepentant criminal raise serious concern about the threat posed to our democracy by over-zealousness of enforcement agents of government.

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to distance himself from “this debasement of our humanity” before the watching world by calling the EFCC to order and order the immediate release of Dr. Akpobolokemi.

Pastor Power Aginighan who is also the founding secretary, Ijaw National Congress, advised the EFCC to confront Akpobolokemi with any new charge that they have against him in court.

“I watched with shock, disbelief and utter bewilderment the horrific manner Dr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, immediate past Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime and Administration and Safety Agency was bundled into a bus reportedly by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission right within the hallowed premises of the Federal High Court shortly after the adjournment of a case against him.

“To treat Dr. Akpobolokemi who has never refused to honour an invitation by the EFCC as an unrepentant criminal raises serious concerns about the threat posed to our democracy by over-zealousness of enforcement agents of government.

“Section 34(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended states that every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly, no person shall be subject to torture or to any inhuman or degrading treatment.

“Also one of the aims and objectives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is “to foster and defend the freedom of the Press and the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all Nigerians and the people of the world in general”.

“In the light of the above, I urge Mr. President to distance himself from this debasement of our humanity before the watching world by calling the EFCC to order and order the immediate release of Dr. Akpobolokemi”.