Venerable Catholic Priest, Father Mathew Kukah, has spoken out about the continued detention of top figures in the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
Father Mathew Kukah
Father Mathew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, on Monday paid an unscheduled visit to the detention facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja.
The Punch reports that a statement signed by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the cleric prayed with three top operatives of the Goodluck Jonathan administration who are currently in detention at the facility.
Uwujaren said that Kukah met and prayed with the former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode; the former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro; and the Special Adviser on Media to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati.
Kukah was said to have told the detained former political appointees to take their predicament as divinely caused and not to be depressed.
Uwujaren also quoted the Bishop, who was conducted round the EFCC’s cells, as having commended the detention facility as clean and orderly.
Kukah said he had discussions with the three detainees and was happy that they were in high spirits.
Kukah stressed that the country had suffered so much, but he was optimistic that the trauma could be brought to an end even as the fight against corruption continued.
“Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Father Matthew Hassan Kukah, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the state of its facilities in Abuja, which he described as ‘clean and orderly.'
“He made the remark on Monday, October 31, 2016 during an unscheduled visit to the Commission’s detention facility and clinic, where he felicitated with some of the inmates which included former ministers, Femi Fani-Kayode and Musiliu Obanikoro; and a former presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati.
“The revered priest, who was conducted round the facilities by the acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu, expressed delight that the detainees appeared in high spirits despite the discomfort of temporary restriction.
“He urged them not to be downcast and to see their current travails as divinely motivated,” The statement read
He commended Magu for conducting him round the facility and allowing him to interact with the detainees.
“I discussed with some detained suspects like Femi Fani-Kayode, Musiliu Obanikoro and Reuben Abati; and I am quite pleased they are looking cheerful.
“I was also happy with the humility of the Acting Chairman who took me round and the way he interacted with the detainees.
“This is what is important for our country, so that nobody takes these kinds of things personally. I am happy I came,” he was quoted to have said.
Uwujaren also quoted Magu as having said during the visit that the detention of the operatives of the former administration was not personal but a desire to make the country a better place.