Ex-NHRC Boss, Chidi Odinkalu And EFCC Clash Over Bobrisky's Arrest

Chidi Odinkalu, a former Director-General of the National Human Rights Commission NHRC, clashed with the EFCC after Odinkalu criticized the arrest and arraignment of crossdresser Bobrisky.

In a post shared on his handle on Thursday, Odinkalu wrote; ‘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."

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.https://t.co/fxQzD7MUJy

— Chidi Odinkalu, CGoF (@ChidiOdinkalu) April 4, 2024

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 povertyhttps://t.co/TTgvWIaItG

— Chidi Odinkalu, CGoF (@ChidiOdinkalu) April 4, 2024

The EFCC felt slighted by his comments and in a statement released on Friday, April 5, threatened to take legal action against Odinkalu.

‘’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.

Dele Oyewale

Head, Media & Publicity

April 5, 2024''

EFCC PRESS STATEMENT

Chidi Odinkalu’s Reckless Commentaries on EFCC

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… pic.twitter.com/rmkcJ5D3YD

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) April 5, 2024

Responding, Odinkalu said the EFCC's statement is self-evident that they are indeed ‘’jobless.''

‘’It is now self evident that @officialEFCC is a shameless,  #IdleAndDisorderly institution whose sole preoccupation is #AbuseOfPower. This is beyond unfortunate but entirely predictable.''

 

It is now self evident that @officialEFCC is a shameless, #IdleAndDisorderly institution whose sole preoccupation is #AbuseOfPower. This is beyond unfortunate but entirely predictable. https://t.co/R7NEGCxUoc

— Chidi Odinkalu, CGoF (@ChidiOdinkalu) April 5, 2024