The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) and the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) on Tuesday commended the State Security Service (SSS) on the arrest and arraignment of Senator Ali Ndume over his alleged involvement with the Boko Haram sect.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ndume, who was arraigned before an Abuja Magistrates’ Court, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him.
Konduga, who was arraigned alongside Ndume, however, pleaded guilty to the various coordinated bombings by the sect in northern Nigeria.
Marilyn Ogar, SSS Deputy Director of Public Relations, had told newsmen in Abuja on Monday that the sect spokesman, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga, also known as Al-Za-Waziri, three weeks ago, named the senator as one of its major sponsors.
AYCF President, Alhaji Yerimma Shettima, commended the SSS for the arrest, stating that no one was above the law.
“If the lawmaker was implicated and investigation revealed he was truly involved, he should be brought to book,” he said.
Yerima said that Nigeria was not a banana republic where people could do what they wanted and would get away with it.
He, however, warned against victimisation of any Nigerian, noting that a mere allegation without proof was not enough.
The AYCF president also asked the SSS to invite and question the former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Chairman of the CLO, Mr. Ehi Omokhuale, said that the SSS must shun sentiments and arrest the former governor.
Omokhuale described the alleged involvement of the senator with the sect as very unfortunate, saying that the sooner the SSS fished out more of the culprits the better for Nigeria.
“There is more of such high profile financiers involved with the sect.
“This is an opportunity for the Federal Government to let the people know that the law respects no one,” the CLO chairman said.
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