Twenty-three organisations under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned Nigeria Political Pressure Groups have protested against the prosecution of former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, describing it as politically motivated
They therefore called on the National Assembly to review certain aspects of the Act establishing the EFCC in the interest of justice and fair play.
The 23 groups are Coalition of Democracy, Centre for Policy Advocacy, Civil Society Group for Leadership, Northern Socio-cultural Initiative, Civil Society for Good Government, Northern Patriotic Forum, Women Arise Organisation, Association for Unity and Progress, Better Foundation for Humanity, National Committee of Patriots, Movement for National Unity and Zikaratu NGO for Better Nigeria.
Others are South East Peoples Assembly, South East Development Initiative, South-East South-South Coalition, Nigeria Renaissance Group, New Nigeria Initiative, Odua Youths Convention, South West Forum for Change, Progressive Market Women of Nigeria, Patriots for Democracy and Nigeria Without Borders Organisation.
According to the coalition, the EFCC should not be allowed to become a monster organisation to be used by the executive against perceived opponents.
The National Coordinator of CoCNPPG and chairman of Northern Patriotic Forum Development Initiative, Ali Abatcha; and North East Coordinator of CoCNPPG, Fidelisuma Nnelirk-Mmalive, made these observations during a press briefing on Tuesday evening in Abuja.
They, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the immediate stoppage of the persecution of former First Lady, Patience Jonathan.
Abatcha said that while the coalition was not in support of any corrupt tendencies or actions, no matter how highly placed, the convention worldwide and, indeed, in Nigeria since independent, was that no First Lady has been singled out, harassed or embarrassed in the way and manner Mrs. Jonathan is currently being treated.
He said, “Statistics are there that nobody persecuted Dr. Mrs Victoria Azikiwe, Hajiya Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Mrs. Aguiyi Ironsi, Mrs Victoria Yakubu Gowon, Mrs Murtala Mohammed, Mrs. Olusegun Obasanjo, Hajia Shehu Shagari, Hajiya Muhammadu Buhari of Blessed Memory, Mrs. Maryam Babangida of Blessed memory, Mrs. Ernest Shonekan, Mrs. Mariam Abacha, Hon. Justice Mrs. Fati Abubakar, Late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo and Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua.
“None of these First Ladies or their husbands were ever investigated, harassed, embarrassed, and persecuted by their husbands’ successor governments in the unfortunate manner that we are witnessing today by the EFCC under the current administration.
“It is against this background that we, as concerned Nigerians, call on President Buhari to quickly intervene and halt this unnecessary persecution of Jonathan through his wife by the EFCC.
“Mr. President should quickly direct the immediate unblocking and de-freezing of all personal accounts of Mrs. Jonathan from ‘No withdrawal’ status they have been placed by EFCC.”
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