Victor Ezeja
Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ANSTRC) has called for dignified treatment of the Immediate past governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, who is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Chief Obiano was picked up by the anti-graft agency at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos while trying to travel out of the country hours after handing over to his successor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo on Thursday.
In a statement on Sunday 20 March, 2022 by the Obi of Onitsha and chairman of ANSTRC, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, said there is a video clip circulating on social media which portrayed the former governor in an undignified manner, wearing only “a red boxer short and a white t-shirt only.”
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe traditional rulers’ council described as dehumanizing the treatment meted out on Obiano as portrayed in the video, and said it is “shocked and disappointed” that someone of the status of an ex-governor would be treated in such manner by the EFCC, adding that it is utterly condemnable how such video clip was released to the public through social media from the commission’s facility.
The group further stated that without prejudice to the statutory duties of the EFCC, such treatment of the ex-governor would “not bring any value to whatever investigation being conducted by the EFCC,” and called for a civil approach to the matter while the agency expeditiously works to conclude its investigation.
The statement reads. “The attention of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ANSTRC) has been drawn to a video clip circulating on the social media showing the Immediate Past Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie M. Obiano, in EFCC custody wearing a red boxer short and a white t-shirt only.
“The ANSTRC and, indeed, all traditional rulers of Anambra State are utterly shocked and disappointed that someone of the status of a former State governor would be treated in such a distasteful and reprehensible manner by an agency of the Federal Government.
“We are equally disturbed that such a video clip found its way out of the highly secure environment of the EFCC onto the social media, obviously, with the intent of causing maximum embarrassment to Chief Obiano and, by extension, the people of Anambra state, whose Governor he was until three days ago on 17 March 2022.
“Without prejudice to the responsibility of the EFCC to carry out its statutory duties, such treatment of Chief Obiano is absolutely dehumanizing and would not bring any value to whatever investigation being conducted by the EFCC.
“Therefore, the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, on behalf of all traditional rulers of Anambra State, calls on the EFCC to treat Chief Obiano with due civility and immediately restore him to his personal comfort whilst expeditiously working to conclude its investigation.
It appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN, to call the EFCC to order regarding the situation that Chief Willie Obiano is being subjected to.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
