Tony Osauzo, Benin
Bishop Osadolor Ochei, who recently filed a suit at an Abuja Federal High Court, seeking to compel the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate former governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, has come under the fire of Benin National Council (BNC), a socio-cultural group.
The group yesterday described the allegation of fraudulent self-enrichment against Oshiomhole as unfounded and said it was sponsored by political enemies who are afraid of his imminent emergence as national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It slammed Ochei as a self-styled bishop and described his court action as “relevance-seeking adventure” to compel the EFCC to act on a spurious petition he compiled at the instance of his pay masters against Oshiomhole.
“We challenge Ochei to tell us which church he presides as a bishop, because characters like this cannot be allowed to deceive innocent Nigerians all the time.
”Without much ado, we seek to inform that the primary objective of the court action is to discredit Oshiomhole ahead the June 23 national convention of the APC having garnered all critical background supports ahead of the convention.
”In the light of the above, our lawyers have been mandated to explore every means for the BNC to be joined in this case as a foremost socio-cultural entity of Edo State.
“Oshiomhole is the immediate past governor of Edo State, a former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the leading candidate for the national chairmanship of the APC in the forthcoming June 23 national convention of the party.
“He has an unblemished credentials and fake bishops and pastors cannot destroy that name,” the BNC said.
Ochei had, on Sunday, addressed journalists in Benin, where he said his petition has no political undertone, but, rather aimed at purging the country of corruption.
But, the BNC, in a statement entitled: “Who is afraid of Oshiomhole” and signed by its Chief Legal and Logistic Officer, Oduwa Igbinoghene, said it was rather surprising that having gone to seek the intervention of the court on the said petition, Ochei has, also, chosen not to wait for the court to hear and rule on his suit.”