The National Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday, has criticized an order from the Kano State High Court, which was obtained by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to prevent his invitation, arrest, and prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Oginni argued that this legal order is insufficient to shield Kwankwaso from accountability.
Addressing journalists in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, Oginni highlighted the pervasive corruption among Nigeria’s government officials and politicians, stating that it undermines the nation’s democracy. He said, “The continuous resistance of former governors to EFCC’s investigations is becoming worrisome.”
Oginni emphasized that the NNPP, through his role as National Secretary, had called on the EFCC to investigate Senator Kwankwaso and other party members regarding funds raised from the sales of nomination forms and campaign donations for the 2023 general elections. These funds were allegedly embezzled by Kwankwaso and his associates.
He stated, “It is on record that the New Nigeria People’s Party through its National Secretary, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday has requested that the EFCC should investigate Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and other party officers on the money collected by the party from the sales of nomination forms and campaign funds donations for the 2023 general elections, which was allegedly stolen by Senator Kwankwaso and his cohorts.”
In response to the impending EFCC investigation, Kwankwaso reportedly sought and obtained an order from the Kano State High Court to prevent the anti-graft agency from summoning him and other allegedly corrupt officials. Oginni compared this action to that of Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, who similarly used court orders to impede EFCC’s prosecutions. Oginni noted, “In a dramatic reaction to the imminent EFCC’s investigation, Senator Kwankwaso rushed to the Kano State High Court to ‘procure’ an order to stop the anti-graft agency from inviting him and other alleged corrupt officers for investigation, the same manner in which Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State is trying to use Court to frustrate EFCC’s prosecution.”
He reminded Nigerians of Yahaya Bello’s previous attempts to use court orders to obstruct EFCC investigations, drawing a parallel to Kwankwaso’s current legal maneuvers. “Nigerians cannot forget in hurry that Yahaya Bello also used Kogi State High Court to ‘procure’ a frivolous order similar to what Senator Kwankwaso also ‘procured’ from Kano State High Court to frustrate EFCC’s investigation and arrest.”
Reacting to Kwankwaso’s court order, Oginni reaffirmed NNPP’s commitment to lawful procedures and anti-corruption efforts. “We cannot teach the EFCC how to discharge its job. I am very sure that the anti-graft agency is up to the task.”
Oginni criticized Kwankwaso’s decision to seek court protection, suggesting it was indicative of guilt. He remarked, “the rush to ‘procure’ a court order is suggestive.”
He argued that if Kwankwaso and his former National Working Committee members were innocent, they would not avoid EFCC scrutiny. “If Senator Kwankwaso and his defunct NWC are as clean as they pretended to be, they have no reason to run away from the EFCC’s investigation.”
Finally, Oginni called on the public to urge Kwankwaso to cooperate with the EFCC, stating that it would be more dignified for him to engage with the agency peacefully rather than through confrontations.
He said, “The New Nigeria People’s Party is hereby calling on well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on Senator Kwankwaso to voluntarily submit himself to the EFCC. It’s more honourable for him to peacefully engage EFCC than unnecessary confrontation like Yahaya Bello.”