EFCC Debunks Ex-Jonathan Aide, Dudafa’s Deteriorating Health Claim In Custody

WARIPAMOIWEI-DUDAFAThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has denied a claim that the health of a former Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa, is failing in detention.
The commission said suspects arrested in connection with alleged corruption prefer its detention facility to prison custody.
The EFCC is probing the former presidential aide for his alleged role in the withdrawal of $47 million and €5.6 million (N10 billion) from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Mr. Dudafa reportedly handled the cash, which he later allegedly distributed to delegates that took part in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s presidential primary election on November 27, 2014.
The former domestic aide to Mr. Jonathan, who went underground when the EFCC launched investigations into the campaign funding of the PDP, was eventually arrested at the Lagos Airport on April 18 by the Department of State Services, DSS, and taken into custody.
However, a spokesman for Dudafa’s family, Engr. Thomas Akpoebi, on Monday issued a statement alleging that the detainee’s health had deteriorated in the last two weeks in EFCC custody.
The statement also dismissed as false, a report that the anti-graft agency 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”.
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”.