Angry protesters on Friday stormed the South-South Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt, commending the Commission for prosecuting a former Special Adviser to Dan Abia, ertswhile managing director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. George Turnah.
The protesters, under the aegis of Niger Delta Volunteer Services Scheme, and Celtic Pride & Event Limited( employees of
Turnah), poured encomiums on the EFCC for "its tireless efforts against
corruption" and for prosecuting George Turnah, whom they accused of
"inflicting pain and suffering" on them and making them to be "primary
victims of corruption".
Henry Eniye Smith, coordinator of the
group, called for the speedy trial of Turnah. "We humbly appeal to the
trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Watilat for speedy trial against corrupt
individuals(sic) to alleviate our pains and suffering for the sake of
justice and our social development", he said
Some of the placards
carried by the protesters read: "Enough is Enough in Niger Delta";
"Thank you EFCC”; “George Turnah must return the money that is meant for
the development of the youths": "Pay us, George Turnah”, "Celtic
Pride, Pay us our Pending salary"; "Thank God for Magu”, “EFCC, help
us to retrieve our seized salary from former S.A youth to NDDC.”
Smith also pressed for the confirmation of the Acting Chairman of the
EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu. "We hereby use this medium to direct(sic) the
National Assembly as a matter of urgency to duly confirm Mr. Magu as a
substantive Chairman of EFCC for more effective service", he said.
The protesters were received by Mrs. Akpos Ekisowei on behalf of the
EFCC. She received a letter brought by the protesters and promised to
convey their message to the appropriate authorities.
Turnah is standing trial before a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on a 12-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence; money laundering and abuse of office.
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