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Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has reacted to President Muhammadu Buhari’s Executive Order 6 banning him, Atiku Abubakar’s campaign Director General, a dead Chief Judge, and 48 others from travelling out of the country.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Buhari signed Executive Order 6 banning Fani-Kayode; Atiku’s campaign DG, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; late Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Professor I.A Umezulike, and a host of others from travelling abroad for alleged corrupt practices.
The list was generated from cases and proceedings filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Police, and 17 other agencies. The watch-list and restriction were put in place pending the conclusion of the cases against those affected.
“I could not give a damn that my name is on the list of 50 members of the opposition and prominent Nigerians that have been placed on a travel ban because nothing that Buhari does surprises me.
“I have not left Nigeria since 2008 because my passport has been with the EFCC and the courts for the last 10 years and they have refused to give it to me and let me to travel. Those on the travel-ban list that need to travel abroad for medical reasons or to see their loved ones are the ones I feel sorry for.
“For me, travel ban or no travel ban, I have no intention of leaving Nigeria anytime soon because I am one of those that will be on the forefront in the struggle to liberate our country and ensure that we get Buhari out of power over the next few months,” Fani-Kayode stated on Sunday.
Explaining the government’s action in a statement on Saturday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said, “Following the instant judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 (EO6), President Muhammadu Buhari has mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice to implement the Order in full force.
“To this end, a number of enforcement procedures are currently in place by which the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies have placed no fewer than 50 high profile persons directly affected by EO6 on watch-list and restricted them from leaving the country pending the determination of their cases.”
A top government official, who reportedly spoke to The Nation newspaper in confidence, said there is no cause for alarm on E06.
The source said: “The ban is not different from the conditions given by the court in granting these accused persons bail. The E06 is like a codification of steps to prevent those on trial for alleged corrupt practices from tampering with assets.
“Some of these accused persons used to go to court for permission before they can travel out of the country. The E06 is not a new thing but instead of all agencies working at cross-purposes, a list was generated and backed with the Executive Order.
“Some of those on trial, especially the Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) had been selling their assets. What will they return after being convicted?”