Former Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Maurice Iwu, has said none of the charges levelled against him by the EFCC has anything to do with his tenure as Chairman of the Commission.
Iwu was granted bail by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The Economic and Fianacial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had arraigned Mr. Iwu before the court on a four count charge bordering on money laundering.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Iwu was alleged to have between December 2014 and March 2015, aided the concealment of the sum of N1.2billion.
Iwu was granted bail to the tune of N1 billion and two sureties.
He was released on bail last week.
Speaking for the first time after he was released, Iwu in a statement thanked Nigerians both at home and in Diaspora for their enormous show of concern and love.
The full statement reads:
The journey I have found myself on began brewing on February 23rd, 2019 when I was deprived of my civic duty of voting in the Presidential Election as a result of EFCC “investigations”. From the seizure of my international passport that February till this recent ordeal with actual charges and detention, God’s goodness has remained manifest as I recite “Te Deum” in Thanksgiving.
“I want to thank Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora for their enormous show of concern, support and the spiritual discipline (for not crucifying me before my day in the court of law). My gratitude to Ndi Igbo, umu Imo, Okigwe indigenes (both at home and abroad), clergy from various denominations, especially of the Catholic faith, which I belong to. The support were not just in words of encouragement, but more in actions of prayers, for in it all the glory of God was made manifest. Though I ask the same question Ps. 4:2a stated “How long, Oh men will you turn my glory into shame?”
“Whenever persecution comes my way, I become more aware that God does not forsake His own indeed, and I’m encouraged by Ps. 34:19
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”
“For despite the challenges, I bow in honour and humility the Grace God has offered and continues to afford me and my family.
“Even with a spirit charged by the timeless words of Rudyard Kipling in his timeless poem “If” (1943).
“More than ever before, with what I have passed through within the last months, I embrace the ever reassuring grace and presence of the Holy spirit, which affords my soul to appreciate the professionalism and dignity of many of the staff and persons at the EFCC detention centre, Judiciary and the Ikoyi prisons. It could only be God.
“With a humble spirit, I plead for well meaning Nigerians to await the court trial and due process in this matter that would allow me to share my side of the story and equally bring to light the testimonies of this journey of immense grace and revelation.
“It is noteworthy, that none of the charges against me has to do with my tenure as Chairman of INEC. And to the scientific community, please be assured that this would not negatively affect the several ongoing work by Bioresources Institute of Nigeria (BION) in contributing to the discovery and development of phytomedicines for tropical and emergent diseases, and the use of our world-class research facility for the standardization of African Medicinal Plants.
“I would like to acknowledge my beloved family, friends and my legal team for their support, hard work, solidarity and prayers. God heard all of you and never left me. The darkness that has enveloped the day is not yet over, please remain steadfast.
Long Live The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Prof. Maurice M. Iwu
