Respected Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Father Matthew Hassan Kukah,  was a surprise guest of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja Monday  when he paid an unscheduled visit to the detention facility of the EFCC. There, he met and prayed for  some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officials, who were being detained over alleged financial crimes.

Those who profited from his prayers were popular journalist and Media aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati who is still in detention having not met his bail conditions; Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and Femi Fani-Kayode, all of whom had been in detention since last week.

After his tour of the facility, an elated Kukah said: “I discussed with some detained suspects like Femi Fani-Kayode, Musiliu Obanikoro and Reuben Abati; and I am quite pleased they are looking cheerful.

“I was also happy with the humility of the acting Chairman who took me round and the way he interacted with the detainees. This is what is important for our country so that nobody takes these kinds of things personal. I am happy I came.

“We are all staff of EFCC to the extent that we want a better country and we are doing what needs to be done. We’ll continue praying that God guides you, keeps you safe and ensure that we build a country that we all will be proud of. This country has suffered so much, but we hope and pray that we can bring the suffering and trauma to an end as we collectively fight corruption.”

EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, told the visiting priest that the commission’s officials have been trained to maintain the highest level of professionalism. He said the invitation and arrest of persons by the commission were not personal but something they do in the line of duty. “It is not personal. This is all about Nigeria and making it better. And I think there is a consensus around this,” he said.

The visit of the Catholic priest may douse doubts in the minds of some Nigerians who have complained of acts unbecoming by the anti-graft agency. Some have alleged high-handedness on the part of officials of the Commission.