By Joshua Egbodo
Abuja
Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin, Mr. Azibaola Robert, has petitioned the leadership of the House of Representatives over alleged abuse and violation of his fundamental human rights by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urging Speaker Yakubu Dogara to intervene.
Robert was reportedly picked by operatives of the EFCC and taken into custody on March 23, 2016, and has since spent over a month in detention, without any formal charge against him.
The petition signed by Faith Robert and presented before the House by Hon. Kingsley Chinda, read in part: “Mr. Azibaola Robert is the Managing Director of ‘Kakatar Engineering and Construction Company Limited, and its sister company, ‘One Plus Holdings Limited.’ He is a cousin to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and a law abiding and peace loving Nigerian.”
“Recently, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested the said Mr. Azibaola Robert over allegations of a $40 million contract which the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) awarded to ‘One Plus Holdings Limited’ for the surveillance and security of oil pipelines across the Niger Delta. The ONSA is at present indebted to the company (One Plus Holdings Limited) to about $4 million, being final payment for the said surveillance/oil pipeline security contract.”
It continued: “Mr. Azibaola Robert was arrested and taken into EFCC custody on March 23, 2016, and has since spent over a month in EFCC detention, without any formal charge brought against him. Preceding his arrest, however was a raid on his house by scores of heavily armed mobile Policemen who in the process subjected his wife and young Children to the most dehumanising and traumatic ordeal.
“In EFCC custody, Mr. Azibaola Robert has been denied access to his family, lawyers and medicare and repeatedly bullied, harassed, threatened and psychologically traumatised by EFCC operatives, and no formal charge brought against him.
“Curiously, his interrogators have told him in very clear terms to say something to finger and/or implicate former President Goodluck Jonathan, his cousin, as a ‘front’ or beneficiary of the surveillance/security contract; else he would face the “Dasuki treatment” and rot away in EFCC custody.”