The Deputy National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has described his ongoing trial as witch-hunt and political persecution.
In a statement he issued shortly after he was granted bail on Thursday, the PDP chief said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not establish any case against him.
Secondus is standing trial for allegedly receiving 23 vehicles from a business man, Mr. Jide Omokore, whom he described as his friend of 20 years.
The statement said, “On Tuesday 23rd February 2016, I honoured an invitation from the EFCC to clarify issues related to an ongoing investigation by EFCC.
“They confronted me with allegations of receiving some cars from Mr. Jide Omokore who has been my friend for over 20 years.
“I admitted to them that Mr. Jide Omokore has given me car gifts on several occasions in the last 10 years for my personal use.
“I want to state categorically that what I received from my friend, Jide Omokore were cars and buses supplied by a well-known car company, Skymit Motors, apparently from a credit facility Mr. Omokore has with the company. I don’t have any knowledge of the so-called transaction the investigators are alleging he had with NNPC.
“Against this background, it is most disheartening that the facts of the matter under investigation have been grossly misrepresented in the media, apparently under inducement by some political opponents in the APC particularly, a Minister from Rivers State.
“This is in line with the strategy of the ruling party to hide under the anti-corruption fight to humiliate the leadership of our party.
“I have been granted bail under very stringent conditions after eight days in detention. Since the EFCC did not establish any case against me, I find my needless detention a clear case of witch-hunt and pure political persecution that has become a stock in trade of the APC government.
“My immediate concern is the denial of the fundamental human rights, excessive physical incarceration and the orchestrated negative media campaign completely skewed against those being investigated.
“Nevertheless, I hereby restate my confidence in the rule of law and the relevant institutions for the resolution of this matter on its merit in the interest of justice.”
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