The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has started gathering more facts in the case involving the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and his company, Metropole Interproject Limited, over alleged forgery, fraudulent conversion and obtaining the sum of N400 million by false pretence.

As earlier reported by News Express, EFCC launched an investigation into the matter following the receipt of a petition by the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ).

CHRSJ Executive Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman confirmed to News Express that a team of CHRSJ officials was at the Lagos State office of EFCC on Tuesday to provide additional information on the case as requested by the anti-graft agency.

Comrade Sulaiman said that the team was led by CHRSJ’s Counsel, Barrister Rotimi Adenekan, adding that he (Sulaiman) wrote a statement at the EFCC “in support of the group’s Petition Letter dated Monday 2nd November, 2015.”

He disclosed that in his statement deposited with the Economic and Governance Crime (EGC 1) department of EFCC head office annexe in Lagos, he urged the commission “to invite the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Rotimi Jacob, who initiated the petition on the issue, and Professor Gabriel Olawoyin, SAN, to join the witnesses of the commission on the matter.”

Comrade Sulaiman said that while addressing the officers of commission before writing his statement, he declared that CHRSJ is pursuing the matter to ensure that justice prevails at the end of the day, explaining that nobody is covered with the immunity from criminal investigation and prosecution in Nigeria, except the President/Vice-President and Governors/Deputy-Governors.

The rights activist in a statement made available to News Express commended EFCC for giving attention to his group’s petition.

According to Comrade Sulaiman, “Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi has no reputation to protect until he clears his name. Oba Ogunwusi cannot champion unity in Yorubaland because anybody that will be preaching unity Yorubaland and equity should be man of impeccable character.

“There is need for inculcation of moral value to our society through the palace in every community in the land and anybody that would occupy the position of authority should come with integrity in order to serve as a good example to younger generation.”

•Photo shows Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

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