‘Leo Ekpenyong Was Not Invited By EFCC Over Akpabio’s Petition’

Inibehe Effiong, a PRO-APC  lawyer has on Tuesday explained why human rights lawyer and anti-corruption campaigner, Mr. Leo Ekpenyong, was summoned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

His explanations followed insinuations by some persons on social media alleging “false allegations” against the former governor of Akwa Ibom State and Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Godswill Akpabio.

But in a statement, Effiong said: “I wish to state categorically that there is no modicum of truth in this insinuation. The truth of the matter is that the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, took offence in the letter written to President Muhammadu Buhari and the subsequent interview by Mr. Leo Ekpenyong, in which he castigated the Lamorde’s compromising stance and passed a vote of no confidence on him”.

“The EFCC then invited him to substantiate his position and statements. Yesterday, Mr. Ekpenyong honoured the invitation. In a two page statement, he insisted that Mr. Lamorde has a relationship with the Akwa Ibom State government and that he stands by his letter to the president and interview on AIT”, he said.

Effiong added: “At no time throughout his nine hours stay at the EFCC was any question or issue pertaining to his petitions against Godswill Akpabio discussed. The EFCC did not arrest or detain him. He was however delayed unduly for nine hours at the commission’s headquarters. The EFCC insisted that he should issue a statement retracting his earlier statements on AIT which he bluntly refused. It is very disheartening that Mr. Lamorde is trying to intimate a whistle blower for justifiably passing a vote of no confidence on him. President Buhari should do the needful by appointing another person to take over the leadership of the commission. It should be noted that 100 Lamordes of this country cannot frustrate the efforts to bring Godswill Akpabio to justice. This is one fight that the forces of darkness cannot win”.