By Anthony Ogbonna

Mr. Uche Anichukwu, Special Adviser (Media) to the Deputy President of the Senate, Professor Ike Ekweremadu, has debunked reports that the Deputy Senate President was interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday.

Ekweremadu

Ekweremadu’s spokesman also debunked reports that the lawmaker was presented with “fresh facts” which allegedly heightened his health condition.

In a statement to the media, Mr. Anichukwu said “there was no interrogation whatsoever on Wednesday, let alone presentation of so-called additional “facts” that purportedly triggered his blood pressure.”

Recall that the EFCC had invited Ekweremadu to clear himself over an alleged corruption and abuse of office.

However, Mr. Anichukwu said the anti-graft agency later granted his principal bail on the Tuesday he honoured the invitation based on self-recognition.

He said, however, that on Wednesday, Ekweremadu had complained to the agency of his deteriorating health as soon as he reported at the EFCC’s headquarters and was allowed to leave and see his doctor.

Anichukwu enjoined the public and especially the supporters of the lawmaker to disregard the news making the rounds that Ekweremadu fell ill after being presented with fresh facts.”

The statement reads thus:

“My attention has been drawn to false reports in some national dailies that the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, developed High Blood Pressure in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC) upon alleged presentation to him of a fresh set of purported “hidden properties” supposedly acquired by him. There is no truth to this propaganda.

It would be recalled that operatives of the EFCC and men of the Nigeria Police laid siege to his residence at about 6am on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, requesting him to report at its headquarters at 10am the same Tuesday. However, no letter of invitation was delivered to him until around 9am of that day.

Since the siege would not allow him to honour the belated “invitation” the same day, he, as a law-abiding citizen, wrote to the EFCC to request for another date, hence the rescheduled appointment of Tuesday, July 31, 2018.

Senator Ekweremadu honoured the 10am appointment on the fixed date and left in the evening of the same day when he was granted bail on self-recognizance with an understanding that he would report at the EFCC office at 10am the next day for a continuation of the interview.

He reported at the EFCC on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at 10am as scheduled, but informed them that he was not feeling well, a fact the EFCC doctor confirmed. He was then allowed to leave to see his doctor and it was agreed that a new date would be fixed for continuation of the interview.

So, there was no interrogation whatsoever on Wednesday, let alone presentation of so-called additional “facts” that purportedly triggered his blood pressure.

Likewise, there were no new “facts” presented to him the previous day, Tuesday, July 31, beside those concocted by the dismissed Chief Judge of Enugu State, Innocent Umezulike and his cohorts in their petition.

The Office feels compelled by the mischief and orchestrated media trial to put the “facts” straight on this particular issue.

We thank our supporters for their genuine concern and prayers. We equally urge them to remain calm.”