The Abuja residence of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was sealed on Sunday by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a move that has been condemned as unlawful and politically motivated by his aides.
Chief Julius Bokoru, Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to Sylva, issued a forceful statement titled "A Grave Breach of Decency: EFCC’s Attempted Raid and Defacement of Sylva’s Family Home". In it, he detailed the agency's actions, stating that the operation was conducted without prior notice, a formal warrant, or any adherence to established legal procedure.
"No courtesy. No procedure. No humanity," Bokoru stated. He described the scene as EFCC officers "spray-paint[ed] his walls in stark red, emblazoning the words 'EFCC — Keep Off'" on the property, which he argued was the treatment of a fugitive rather than the home of a former public official.
A "Violation" of Legal Standards and Family Sanctuary
Bokoru emphasized that the action violated core legal and ethical standards. He asserted that Sylva had always been willing to cooperate with regulatory authorities under proper legal frameworks. The statement framed the event as a distressing assault on Sylva's family, particularly highlighting that his children, relatives, and staff had been effectively confined to the residence for weeks.
"What deepens the wound is that this is not merely a property; it is the home in which Chief Sylva’s children, relatives, and staff have been effectively encircled for weeks," Bokoru said. "To violate such a place, without warning, without justification, is to inflict terror upon innocent people."
An Accusation of Political Weaponization
The statement made a pointed distinction between the actions of the EFCC and the federal government under President Bola Tinubu. "We remain firmly convinced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not involved in these excesses," Bokoru wrote, attributing the incident instead to "local political rivalry being misinterpreted, or mischievously presented, as federal instruction."
He warned of the dangers of allowing state agencies to be used in political contests, stating that such actions "weaken not only the institutions themselves but the very fabric of our democracy."
The EFCC has not issued an official public statement regarding the sealing of the property or the specific allegations against Sylva that prompted the action. The move adds to the scrutiny of the anti-graft agency's methods and the perception of its role within Nigeria's often contentious political landscape.
*Source: Independent Newspaper Nigeria.*
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