By Paul Obi in Abuja
A group, the Human Rights and Anti-corruption Activists Movement on Sunday said a politically motivated trial of former First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could lead to escalation of the Niger Delta crisis. The lawyers stated this in a statement jointly issued on Sunday by Ugochukwu Osuagwu, Elvis Offor, Miss Vina Amaka, Benard Nwauduna, Divine Sunday Ofuma at a press conference in Abuja.
According to the leader of the group, Osuagwu, the EFCC is indirectly probing ex- President Goodluck Jonathan, which has obviously exposed the fact that the trial is politically motivated. He said: “The former president is a crowd puller. One must exercise when you begin to probe his wife. The South South people could see this as probing of former president Goodluck Jonathan. “The country is a bit weak now in terms of ethnic bonding. The ethnic bond is weak so caution should be exercised by the anti-corruption agency.
“Nigeria’s ethnic bond is still shaking. We should exercise caution so as to avoid the foot soldiers on the streets who see the former president as their idol. “The EFCC and the wife of the former president can resolve this issue quietly without involving the media. Nobody says the EFCC should not do its work. In fact they should be allowed to do their work but caution should be exercised. “Our position is that the office of the president must be respected by citizens as that position is the highest position in the land. We advice that the president caution and call Magu and EFCC to order.
