Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has said despite the alleged
intimidation of the opposition by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration,
he would not be intimidated from criticising the actions and policies of the government.
The human rights activist, who had in recent times openly defended several persons
being investigated or tried by the EFCC, in a statement on Saturday, stated that he
would not, because of Buhari, shy away from fighting for justice and good governance.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had last Monday arrested Adegboruwa
for an alleged N61m scam, in which he allegedly conspired with some persons to lease
a property in the Lekki area of Lagos State, which was a subject of an Interim Forfeiture
Order by a Lagos State High Court.
The lawyer and one Jonathan Udeagbala, with whom he committed the alleged offence
on August 13, 2013, were on Thursday charged and arraigned before a Federal High
Court in Lagos.
The lawyer had been granted bail in the sum of N10m with two sureties in like sum.
“I was released late last night (Friday) following the bail granted to me by Hon. Justice
Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court,” Adegboruwa said in a text message to
one of our correspondents.
In the statement titled, ‘The Struggle Continues,’ Adegboruwa, said, “I have never been
under any illusion that it would be a smooth and jolly ride to attempt to be a voice
against oppression and dictatorship, but it didn’t occur to me that it would take any
form of some vendetta.
“I’m told to accept the fact that there is a new administration in town, which does not
like opposition and criticisms and that anything can be done to silence all voices of
dissent, including assassinations and trumped-up charges.
“I was told point blank that if anybody is killed today, nothing will happen and that it is
proper for me to always expect that any and all things will be deployed against me if I
don’t keep quiet.”
According to Adegboruwa, his response was that he was not fighting Buhari or his
administration.
He said, “As known to everyone, many of those working with the President today are
my friends, colleagues and some are even my mentors, as it were. But my passion is
always justice, transparency and good governance and I cannot because of Buhari shy
away from this. So, the struggle continues. I cannot be cowed or intimidated.”
Justice Oguntoyinbo had adjourned till June 13, 2016, for commencement of trial.
Adegboruwa came into the limelight through activism as a Student Union President at
the Obafemi Awolowo University in 1992.
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