Uneasy calm trails EFCC raid on Ambode’s houses

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

Former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode has reacted to the investigation of his administration by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The governor in a statement signed on Tuesday by his media aide, Habib Aruna urged his supporters and the public to remain calm and law-abiding, saying “there was no cause for alarm.”
Ambode added that the Commission, till date, has not opened any direct communication with him on any issue.
According to him, he is ready and willing to respond if or when they do so.
The statement reads : “ This morning , operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission visited the Epe Country home and Parkview Ikoyi residence of Mr . Akinwunmi Ambode , former Governor of Lagos State, with warrants to conduct a search. These searches were carried out extensively and at the end of the exercise the operatives left without any incident .
“The former Governor reiterates that the EFCC has till date not had any direct communication with him on any subject matter whatsoever and if or when it occurs he is ready and willing to respond.
“The former governor wishes to assure his supporters and the generality of Lagosians to continue to remain calm and law – abiding as there is no cause for alarm .”
The former governor reiterated his belief in the rule of law and due process and remains grateful for the opportunity to have served Lagos State diligently and conscientiously.
It would be recalled that Ambode , in an earlier response to allegations by the EFCC that it had frozen certain accounts linked to him , insisted that no account of his contained N 9 .9bn let alone being frozen by the Commission as those accounts were opened and operated by the Lagos State Government .
Meanwhile EFCC Ag. Head Media and Publicity of the EFCC Tony Orilade has said that the EFCC did not raid Ambode’s house.
Orilade in a statement said ‘It is instructive that his administration, like other former governors is under investigation, since they no longer constitutionally enjoy immunity against prosecution.
The statement reads: The Commission hereby states with high sense of responsibility that the operatives did not raid Ambode’s residence.
Whatever the Commission is presently doing with regards to the investigation is in line with its mandate and the rule of law.
We wish to inform the social media to be circumspect in the reportage of any news with regards to investigation activities of the Commission.
As a tradition, the Commission does not carry out investigation on the pages of the newspapers or through the media. Our operations are always covert until at a time when we file charges in court.
Therefore, the attempt to cast the Commission in a bad light is unacceptable as the EFCC will never engage in illegal act. We remain committed to the war against corruption.