EFCC raid: Ondo Assembly says it’s unprofessional
By Awodeyi Elizabeth
Ondo State House of Assembly has condemned and also called for proper investigation on the activities carried out by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the two night clubs in Akure on Friday.
The majority leader of the House, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi who moved a motion for the issue to be debate on at the floor of the House frowned at the manner which the EFCC carried out their operation.
Ogunmolasuyi who urged the Chairman of the Comission for proper training for their staffs on how to operate professionally, said destroying of people properties while operating is uncalled for.
Majority Leader while appreciating the Governor of the State, Luky Ayedatiwa for his prompt intervention, appeal to the youth not to take law into their hands and also urged them to always be involved in activities that will add value to their lives and the state at large.
The Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu, representing Ilaje constituency 2, also frowned at how ladies were sexually harassed, stressing that some were pulled by hair, beaten and spanked, adding that such action must be addressed.
Other lawmaker calls for proper investigation on the 127 people arrested, and that those who are oppressed should go to court to seek redress.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji, stated that the action of the EFCC has attracted widespread different reactions from differs section across the nation, Culminating into a peaceful protest in Akure yesterday, noting that the House remain committed to ensuring all actions and reactions are guided strictly by the law.
“While we recognize and assert the mandate of the EFCC in combating all forms of financial crimes and fraudulent acts, we believe this can be done without allegedly resulting to trampling on civil rights or inflicting physical injury on people. The alleged destruction of business entities also falls below expected to procedures of engagement of the EFCC.
“We hereby call on the EFCC to ensure that only those who are found guilty of alleged crimes among the reported 127 people arrested, should be duly prosecuted in the court of law, while those who are innocent should immediately released. We also call on youth across Ondo State to shun involvement in fraudulent acts like online scams a.k.a Yahoo Yahoo. This online scams wreck financial and emotional distress on victims, and disrupt livelihoods”.
The Speaker called on the youths to refrain from embracing fraudulent act as a way of life as it is totally unacceptable. “We encourage the EFCC to add more vigour in reducing the menace but to go about it in a professional manner”.
He acknowledged the efforts of Ondo State government under the leadership of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who has personally met the owners of nightlife businesses in the State capital and promised to intervene in the issue and also sympathised with the night club owners and all innocent people who sustained injuries or experienced discomfort during the EFCC raid.
In conclusion, he appealed to the youths to be calm, adding that peaceful protests are constitutional rights but since the State government has waded into the matter with a promise to intervene, they should art further protests and all forms of demonstrations. “As duly elected representatives of the people, we also establish communication with the relevant agencies to ensure that justice is done on the issue”.
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