Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu, has berated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for arresting crossdresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky, saying it is an abuse of power.
Meanwhile, the EFCC on Friday flayed the ex-chairman of NHRC for making what it called ‘reckless commentaries on the arrest of the crossdresser. which are unbecoming of a former federal government official.
And on Friday, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos convicted Bobrisky for mutilation of Naira notes.
Trial judge, Justice Abimbola Awogboro convicted the defendant following his guilty plea to the charge brought against him by the EFCC.
The court reserved till April 9, to sentence the convict and ordered that he be remanded in custody of the EFCC.
Bobrisky was arrested at Pinnock Estate in Lagos State on Wednesday, April 3, and detained in the Lagos command office of the EFCC and commenced investigations into the alleged spraying of Naira notes.
EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, had in a Thursday statement said the anti-graft agency invited the 31-year-old crossdresser following a video report of spraying and flaunting wads of new Naira notes at the ‘Ajakaju’ movie premiere, produced by Nollywood actress, Eniola Ajao, at Film One Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos on March 24, 2024.
Reacting in a post via X, Odinkalu said on Thursday that the power of arrest and prosecution is a public trust that should not be weaponized to prosecute those they don’t like.
According to Odinkalu: “The @officialEFCC shd be ashamed of themselves. The power of arrest & prosecution is a public trust that shd not be weaponized 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.”
But the EFCC warned Odinkalu to be careful with future statements regarding its operations as it would not hesitate to take action against him.
The anti-graft agency 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, describing it as evidence of idleness or an abuse of power .
“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 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.”