EFCC Forced Me To Pay N40m For My Release – Detained Air Force Chief

Detained former Air Officer in
charge of Tactical Air Command,
Makurdi, Air Vice Marshal [AVM]
Rufus Ojuawo, has told a Federal
High Court in Abuja that the
Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) forced him to
pay N40 million as a condition for
his release.
He is currently in confinement at
House 27, Niger Barracks, Asokoro,
Abuja, under the directive of the
EFCC.
He further alleged that contrary to
the position of the anti-graft
agency, he did not voluntarily
surrender his Range Rover (SUV)
car to the commission but that it
was seized from him by force.
His averments were contained in
his further affidavit in support of
his application to enforce his
fundamental rights now pending
before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of
the Abuja division of the Federal
High Court.
The officer who has been in
detention custody for over 100 days
since his arrest on February 7,
2016, was last week produced in
court by the anti-corruption agency
following an order of the court.
Justice Ademola gave the order
after counsel to the detained
military chief, Mr. R.N. Ojabo,
moved an application for the
enforcement of his fundamental
human rights.
His appearance was ordered by the
court to enable it know which
agency of government was keeping
him since the EFCC denied that the
embattled military officer was not
in its custody, having being
released on administrative bail.
Until his arrest by the EFCC on
February 7, 2016, at the Nnamdi
Azikiwe International Airport,
Abuja, Ojuawo was carrying out his
duties as the Air Officer
Commanding the Tactical Air
Command, Nigerian Air Force,
Makurdi.