Omisore hits back at EFCC, says declaring him wanted was senseless and born out of vendetta

Iyiola Omisore, former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, has hit back at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as a tool being used against the opposition by the federal government. Mr. Omisore spoke through a statement issued yesterday stressing that the EFCC's decision to declare him wanted was senseless and born out of vendetta. He said:

“I read the statement issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) purportedly declaring me wanted as an attempt by that organization and its leadership to tarnish my image.

“That statement, if indeed it was issued by the EFCC, is the height of mischief and a deliberate attempt to assassinate my character. It is now very clear that the EFCC is indeed playing out the script of persecuting and harassing perceived opposition groups in the country.

“To be sure, there is no basis for the EFCC’s so-called statement. Only on Tuesday, May 24, we appeared in court with the EFCC asking for permission of the court for an extension of time in the preliminary objection to a suit filed against me. “The Managing Director of Firmex Gill, which the EFCC joined in their case, indemnified me from the company’s contracts and any such obligations.

“In other words, there is nothing related to me in the company’s contract deal with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). The company has even sued ONSA for its inability to pay the balance of the contract so awarded to it.

“Therefore, I am not aware of any issue relating to a contract of N700 million. There was no issue of N700 million anywhere. The relationship between the company and ONSA is civil and contractual, which has n nothing to do with me,” Mr. Omisore said in his statement.