Lawmaker Refutes Arrest Report

PHOTO: CHAIRMAN, EFCC, MRS FARIDA WAZIRI.

BENIN CITY, July 21, (THEWILL) - Contrary to media reports on Tuesday that two Edo Action Congress lawmakers at the State Assembly were quizzed by Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged tax evasion and birth certificate forgery, one of the lawmakers, Hon. Philip Shuaibu has denied their arrest but admitted they were invited to the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja on the matter.

The news reports said EFCC operatives quizzed two AC lawmakers; Hon. Philip Shuaibu and Hon. Jude Idehen adding that they will be arraigned yesterday after their interrogation.

"Surprisingly I was at plenary yesterday and was never arraigned. This is the 6th time I have been invited by EFCC on the same issue. I was only called on phone to appear by official of the agency who gave his name as Mr. Ibrahim," he said.

Shuaibu however attributed the lingering interrogation by the agency as politically motivated.

Both the AC and the PDP have been locked in a supremacy fight since the PDP lost the governorship election to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of the AC.

Efforts to reach EFCC spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi on the matter were unsuccessful.