N10b probe: EFCC faults Dudafa’s health alarm

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday faulted a claim that the health of Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa, a former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to ex- President Goodluck Jonathan, was failing in detention.

It said suspects arrested for alleged corruption prefer EFCC’s detention facility to prison custody.

Dudafa is being probed over $47million and €5.6million Euros (N10 billion) which were withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The cash was shared to delegates that took part in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary election on November 27, 2014.

Dudafa, who was initially at large, was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on April 18 by the Department of State Security Service (DSS) operatives and taken into custody.

But a spokesman for Dudafa’s family, Engr. Thomas Akpoebi, alleged that the health of the former presidential aide has deteriorated in the last two weeks in custody.

The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, however dismissed the claim.

He said: “The commission will not be distracted by any false alarm regarding the health condition of any suspect as all suspects in the custody of the EFCC have access to the best available medical care.

“All inmates also have access to their lawyers and family members at the designated visiting hours.

“The quality of care in the EFCC holding facility is the reason why accused persons regularly plead in court to be remanded in EFCC custody.”

In a statement on Monday, Akpoebi said Dudafa ‘s health began to “deteriorate about two weeks ago.

He also debunked a report that the EFCC had released Dudafa.

The statement said: ”We members of the Dudafa family are frightened at the level of deliberate neglect and abandonment Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa has been subjected in the EFCC custody since his incarceration about 50 days ago.

”This is the first time we are constrained to say something to the world since the arrest and detention of our brother and this is deliberate in order for the law to take its full circle despite the media trial that has been orchestrated.

”We are particularly disturbed that the EFCC told a national daily on Wednesday last week that Dudafa had been released.

“This is far from the truth and an attempt to mislead the public in order to endanger our brother’s life in their custody. This is a despotic way of fighting corruption‎.”