The
current travails of Femi Fani-Kayode in the hands of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had long been expected. In fact, with
developments leading to his arrest, Fani-Kayode thinks the EFCC came
too late. This is because owing to the current administration’s aversion
to criticism even of the slightest and lightest type, Femi Fani-Kayode
knew, with his relentless criticism of the Buhari administration for
their gross inadequacies and obvious crass incompetence leading to a
near-total absence of security of lives and property, and the
irredeemable erosion of our socio-political and economic life, had put
himself in the line of fire.
current travails of Femi Fani-Kayode in the hands of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had long been expected. In fact, with
developments leading to his arrest, Fani-Kayode thinks the EFCC came
too late. This is because owing to the current administration’s aversion
to criticism even of the slightest and lightest type, Femi Fani-Kayode
knew, with his relentless criticism of the Buhari administration for
their gross inadequacies and obvious crass incompetence leading to a
near-total absence of security of lives and property, and the
irredeemable erosion of our socio-political and economic life, had put
himself in the line of fire.
Since the defeat of the People’s
Democratic Party (PDP) at the 2015 presidential polls, Fani-Kayode has
carved a niche for himself as one who is among the very few who are
looking Buhari in the eyeball and telling him to shape up, something the
president obviously detests.
Democratic Party (PDP) at the 2015 presidential polls, Fani-Kayode has
carved a niche for himself as one who is among the very few who are
looking Buhari in the eyeball and telling him to shape up, something the
president obviously detests.
From the vengeful incarceration of Sambo
Dasuki to the vindictive detention of Nnamdi Kanu, Fani-Kayode has made
himself a voice for the voiceless and victims of executive over-reach.
His essays and commentary on the incessant and unchecked invasion of
communities in the north central, the south eastern, the south southern
and south western states respectively by the marauding Fulani herdsmen
was a nightmare to Aso Rock and all the sympathizers of the Fulani
herdsmen militia which is rated the fourth most dangerous terrorist
group in the world. That rating was not for nothing, yet, our federal
government is yet to take any decisive action against them!
Dasuki to the vindictive detention of Nnamdi Kanu, Fani-Kayode has made
himself a voice for the voiceless and victims of executive over-reach.
His essays and commentary on the incessant and unchecked invasion of
communities in the north central, the south eastern, the south southern
and south western states respectively by the marauding Fulani herdsmen
was a nightmare to Aso Rock and all the sympathizers of the Fulani
herdsmen militia which is rated the fourth most dangerous terrorist
group in the world. That rating was not for nothing, yet, our federal
government is yet to take any decisive action against them!
Despite the open support shown by some
powerful and well connected northern leaders to the killer Fulani
herdsmen, Femi Fani-Kayode was not cowed and continued criticizing
loudly the mishandling of the crisis.
He rose stoutly against the controversial religious bill introduced in
Kaduna and which northern governors plan to adopt across board. He spoke
out against President Buhari’s continued lopsided appointments in
favour of the north against the south. He expressed genuine fears and
called the attention of the world to the deliberate policy of
Islamisation going on in Nigeria.
powerful and well connected northern leaders to the killer Fulani
herdsmen, Femi Fani-Kayode was not cowed and continued criticizing
loudly the mishandling of the crisis.
He rose stoutly against the controversial religious bill introduced in
Kaduna and which northern governors plan to adopt across board. He spoke
out against President Buhari’s continued lopsided appointments in
favour of the north against the south. He expressed genuine fears and
called the attention of the world to the deliberate policy of
Islamisation going on in Nigeria.
He condemned the use of security
agencies to intimidate, harass, incarcerate, torture and kill citizens
wantonly just for political reasons. He stood above others in his
condemnation of the Shiite massacre, the needless killings of innocent,
harmless and armless members of IPOB/MASSOB at Aba and Onitsha among
others.
agencies to intimidate, harass, incarcerate, torture and kill citizens
wantonly just for political reasons. He stood above others in his
condemnation of the Shiite massacre, the needless killings of innocent,
harmless and armless members of IPOB/MASSOB at Aba and Onitsha among
others.
The social media was one of his most
effective tools. He was always on Twitter and Facebook, making his
opinions known without fear or favour. His positions on matters generate
a lot of interests among the citizens and have the immense capacity to
shape perceptions, enlighten the ill-informed, illuminate the darkened
mind, lighten a burdened conscience, free the mentally enslaved and
singularly redirect a national discourse.
effective tools. He was always on Twitter and Facebook, making his
opinions known without fear or favour. His positions on matters generate
a lot of interests among the citizens and have the immense capacity to
shape perceptions, enlighten the ill-informed, illuminate the darkened
mind, lighten a burdened conscience, free the mentally enslaved and
singularly redirect a national discourse.
That is how powerful the former minister
of aviation’s writings are that his traducers at Aso Rock started
seeing him as one that must be taken out of circulation.
of aviation’s writings are that his traducers at Aso Rock started
seeing him as one that must be taken out of circulation.
In the days leading to his being
invited by the EFCC, some top government officials and sympathizers of
the current administration had approached Femi Fani-Kayode telling him
he had become a target of government because of his writings which the
authorities view as being caustic and too critical. His phones would
ring endlessly from officials who would advise him to desist from
writing or speaking against the policies and actions of government in
his “own interest”.
invited by the EFCC, some top government officials and sympathizers of
the current administration had approached Femi Fani-Kayode telling him
he had become a target of government because of his writings which the
authorities view as being caustic and too critical. His phones would
ring endlessly from officials who would advise him to desist from
writing or speaking against the policies and actions of government in
his “own interest”.
Series of meetings with
Fani-Kayode were called by these government agents, mostly at odd hours
where they pushed their agenda to have him keep quiet or face
retribution from government. They would remind him of how unpleasant the
consequences of his arrest would be to his family and the stress it
would bring to them especially his four-month old baby, all in a bid to
have him back down on the struggle.
Fani-Kayode were called by these government agents, mostly at odd hours
where they pushed their agenda to have him keep quiet or face
retribution from government. They would remind him of how unpleasant the
consequences of his arrest would be to his family and the stress it
would bring to them especially his four-month old baby, all in a bid to
have him back down on the struggle.
Fani-Kayode would return home at times
with heavy burdens, thinking of what next to do. He would ask, “Do I
abandon the struggle and watch people suffer, women raped, children
killed, communities devastated by Fulani herdsmen, and say or do nothing
about it? Do I stand and watch as security agents murder innocent
Nigerians in cold blood in their hundreds with reckless abandon and not
say anything? Do I stand and just watch as the federal government works
assiduously to promote one religion over the other in a multi-religious
and multi cultural society like ours? Do I sit and watch as Nigerians
are indiscriminately locked away and humiliated by state agents just
because they belong to another political divide or because they
criticize government policies? Do I sit and watch how the judiciary is
being intimidated, harassed and lampooned just because they choose to be
on the side of law and not politics in the discharge of their duties?
Do I abandon the struggle simply because of the threat of harassment,
humiliation and torture?”
with heavy burdens, thinking of what next to do. He would ask, “Do I
abandon the struggle and watch people suffer, women raped, children
killed, communities devastated by Fulani herdsmen, and say or do nothing
about it? Do I stand and watch as security agents murder innocent
Nigerians in cold blood in their hundreds with reckless abandon and not
say anything? Do I stand and just watch as the federal government works
assiduously to promote one religion over the other in a multi-religious
and multi cultural society like ours? Do I sit and watch as Nigerians
are indiscriminately locked away and humiliated by state agents just
because they belong to another political divide or because they
criticize government policies? Do I sit and watch how the judiciary is
being intimidated, harassed and lampooned just because they choose to be
on the side of law and not politics in the discharge of their duties?
Do I abandon the struggle simply because of the threat of harassment,
humiliation and torture?”
“Who stands for the people if everyone is cowed? Who speaks truth to power if everyone recoils into their shells?”
After these questions, Fani usually
decides that the way to go is not to be intimidated or betray the trust
of the people but to stand tyranny in the face and speak fearlessly to
power in order to save our people and country from the stranglehold of
one man.
decides that the way to go is not to be intimidated or betray the trust
of the people but to stand tyranny in the face and speak fearlessly to
power in order to save our people and country from the stranglehold of
one man.
So, when the EFCC finally invited him,
it was not a surprise to many who are abreast of happenings around the
former minister of aviation. In fact, it was considered an invitation
that came too late considering the barrage of pressure mounted on him to
soft pedal on his criticism of government. One was, therefore, not
surprised at the over-zealousness and flagrant display of naked power
displayed by the EFCC operatives when they came for FFK as he is fondly
called.
it was not a surprise to many who are abreast of happenings around the
former minister of aviation. In fact, it was considered an invitation
that came too late considering the barrage of pressure mounted on him to
soft pedal on his criticism of government. One was, therefore, not
surprised at the over-zealousness and flagrant display of naked power
displayed by the EFCC operatives when they came for FFK as he is fondly
called.
First, on Friday, the 6th of May,
operatives came to his residence to leave a letter from the anti-graft
agency inviting him to their office the following Monday being the 9th
of May. However, to prove that they were on a mission of vindictiveness
and vendetta, they returned about two hours later that same Friday with a
detachment of heavily armed policemen, a coaster bus and a Toyota Hilux
vehicle, brandishing weapons in commando style and laid siege to his
house for about 6 hours before leaving empty-handed, saying they had
instructions to whisk him away.
operatives came to his residence to leave a letter from the anti-graft
agency inviting him to their office the following Monday being the 9th
of May. However, to prove that they were on a mission of vindictiveness
and vendetta, they returned about two hours later that same Friday with a
detachment of heavily armed policemen, a coaster bus and a Toyota Hilux
vehicle, brandishing weapons in commando style and laid siege to his
house for about 6 hours before leaving empty-handed, saying they had
instructions to whisk him away.
He eventually honoured the invitation as
scheduled and after holding him beyond the constitutional time of 48
hours allowed to detain anyone, the EFCC told Fani-Kayode’s family
members and lawyers that they had obtained a remand warrant from an
Abuja court to hold him for another two weeks even though they did not
show any one a copy of such warrant. Shortly after then, nearing the
expiration of the purported remand warrant, they whisked him to Lagos
where they also applied to keep detaining him for another thirty days
even though the magistrate eventually granted them a remand warrant for
three weeks.
scheduled and after holding him beyond the constitutional time of 48
hours allowed to detain anyone, the EFCC told Fani-Kayode’s family
members and lawyers that they had obtained a remand warrant from an
Abuja court to hold him for another two weeks even though they did not
show any one a copy of such warrant. Shortly after then, nearing the
expiration of the purported remand warrant, they whisked him to Lagos
where they also applied to keep detaining him for another thirty days
even though the magistrate eventually granted them a remand warrant for
three weeks.
This was after the EFCC had been served a
court notice for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights in
Federal High Court, Abuja; for the EFCC to have taken the same matter to
a magistrate court amounts to abuse of court processes. But in the
current administration, it seems our constitution has been suspended and
the rule of force elevated above the rule of law. All these show that
it is not about corruption but all about silencing the opposition.
court notice for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights in
Federal High Court, Abuja; for the EFCC to have taken the same matter to
a magistrate court amounts to abuse of court processes. But in the
current administration, it seems our constitution has been suspended and
the rule of force elevated above the rule of law. All these show that
it is not about corruption but all about silencing the opposition.
So, when Femi Fani-Kayode eventually
reported at the EFCC office and was detained and remain detained even
after he has met his bail conditions, one knew it was going to be a long
walk to freedom. Freedom, not necessarily for him as a person, for he
has always told those close to him that enslavement is a thing of the
mind: there are many who are walking free but are slaves while there are
many more who are in chains but are actually free in conscience.
reported at the EFCC office and was detained and remain detained even
after he has met his bail conditions, one knew it was going to be a long
walk to freedom. Freedom, not necessarily for him as a person, for he
has always told those close to him that enslavement is a thing of the
mind: there are many who are walking free but are slaves while there are
many more who are in chains but are actually free in conscience.
But the freedom he yearns for is freedom
for Nigerians; freedom for that man who was allegedly shot six times
and humiliatingly wheeled in a barrow while his members are killed in
their hundreds simply because he belongs to a different sect of Islam;
freedom for that woman who was callously raped right before her helpless
husband by Fulani herdsmen who seem to enjoy the protection of their
political kith and kin in high places; freedom for that innocent child
who was wickedly snatched away from his mother while he suckled and had
his throat slashed by the bloody swords of the Fulani militias; freedom
for those whose farmlands are destroyed and whose lands are forcefully
occupied while the murdered owners are forced to bury themselves in the
sands watered by the blood of kinsmen mowed down by mindless cattle
rearers; freedom for those who have been incarcerated for so long
despite court orders granting them bails and are in chains for
expressing themselves and associating with fellow Nigerians etc.
for Nigerians; freedom for that man who was allegedly shot six times
and humiliatingly wheeled in a barrow while his members are killed in
their hundreds simply because he belongs to a different sect of Islam;
freedom for that woman who was callously raped right before her helpless
husband by Fulani herdsmen who seem to enjoy the protection of their
political kith and kin in high places; freedom for that innocent child
who was wickedly snatched away from his mother while he suckled and had
his throat slashed by the bloody swords of the Fulani militias; freedom
for those whose farmlands are destroyed and whose lands are forcefully
occupied while the murdered owners are forced to bury themselves in the
sands watered by the blood of kinsmen mowed down by mindless cattle
rearers; freedom for those who have been incarcerated for so long
despite court orders granting them bails and are in chains for
expressing themselves and associating with fellow Nigerians etc.
Fani-Kayode believes that he is a free
man once these ones are free even if he is in chains. He believes he is a
free man once those murdered could find their voice in his even if he
is incarcerated. To this extent, he is unruffled.
man once these ones are free even if he is in chains. He believes he is a
free man once those murdered could find their voice in his even if he
is incarcerated. To this extent, he is unruffled.
This is just to let the world know that
the war against the Ife-born chief is not about corruption but about the
deliberate and calculated agenda to silence members of the opposition
while the sinister motives and the incompetence of this administration
that are fast plunging our dear nation into a state of anarchy and
anomie go applauded by sycophants and unchallenged by critics. It is an
ignoble fight against the voice of good conscience wrapped in the
smokescreen of fight against corruption.
the war against the Ife-born chief is not about corruption but about the
deliberate and calculated agenda to silence members of the opposition
while the sinister motives and the incompetence of this administration
that are fast plunging our dear nation into a state of anarchy and
anomie go applauded by sycophants and unchallenged by critics. It is an
ignoble fight against the voice of good conscience wrapped in the
smokescreen of fight against corruption.
Nigerians must speak out louder than
they are doing now. Things must not be allowed to get worse than they
currently are. All of us have the responsibility to defend the oppressed
and help entrench democratic principles in our country. If these
executive acts of despotism are allowed to fester, everyone would be in
the danger of being silenced, sometimes through the use of “extreme
measures” as Fani-Kayode was once told.
they are doing now. Things must not be allowed to get worse than they
currently are. All of us have the responsibility to defend the oppressed
and help entrench democratic principles in our country. If these
executive acts of despotism are allowed to fester, everyone would be in
the danger of being silenced, sometimes through the use of “extreme
measures” as Fani-Kayode was once told.
The time to act is now. It is Femi Fani-Kayode today, whose turn will it be tomorrow? Nigerians arise!
Jude Ndukwe is a political analyst who lives and works in Abuja, Nigeria. He is a member of The Trent’s Elite Columnists. His column is published every Friday. He tweets from@stjudendukwe.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
