Don’t use Bankole as a scape goat – Ogun PDP

[emezico]

The Elders Council of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State on Thursday appealed for fair hearing for the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole.

In what can be described as the first reaction of the party and the people of the state, the elders council, led by Chief Sule Onabiyi, in a statement after its meeting in Abeokuta, urged the EFCC not to use Bankole as a scapegoat.

He is currently being detained in the custody of the antigraft agency in Abuja.

The elders council stated the need for the former Speaker to be given fair treatment until he's proven guilty of the allegations leveled against him.

"We recognise the need for anti-graft agency to do its assignments, but we want to plead that the former Speaker be deemed innocent until proven guilty. We are aware that all human beings are equal before the law, but we hope our son is not being used as a scapegoat in this case," the elders said.

Bankole, who is from Ogun State, had been arraigned on a 16-count charge of corruption by the EFCC.

The council said as much as it would not hinder the anti-graft agency from doing its constitutional responsibilities, "the former Speaker should be accorded all the courtesies and fundamental human rights of a citizen especially given his high office."

The council said, "We elders and members of the PDP in Ogun state note the current travail of our son and former Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Sabur Oladimeji Bankole and call for fair treatment."



Source: The Punch