Why I was re-arrested by EFCC — Pankeeroy

Instagram comedian, Pankeeroy, has explained why he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after regaining his freedom.

Recall that The Eagle Online reported earlier in May that Pankeeroy was arrested alongside 34 others in April 2021 by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Office of the EFCC for alleged involvement in computer-related fraud.

His lawyers however said he was released “as there was no form of nexus linking him to the purported commission of the investigated crime”.

To clear the air on his arrest, the influencer posted a statement issued by his lawyers, titled: “Re: Arrest of Nwagbo Chidera Oliver ‘Pankeeroy’ by men of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission over his involvement in the business of digital currency.”

Part of the statement read: “It is necessary to state here that there was no form of petition against our client, and as such, implies that no crime in whatever form was perpetrated against any person(s), company, establishment, or business of our client.

“Further to the above, it is also worthy to state that the arrest was based on discreet information that our client was an enthusiast of digital currency solely in the year 2020 (at the heat of Covid19 lockdown), which in no doubt is the future of economic transactions.

“Upon questioning and facts finding by officers of the Commission, our Client was released as there was no form of nexus linking him to the purported commission of the investigated crime.

“The positions of the Federal Government and its agencies are clear on Digital Currency, and as such, hamper various levels of growth and development in the economic and digital space.

“However, this call to notice is necessary to clear the air and further repose the long term confidence of fans, friends, family members, and business associates of our client that on no occasion was our client indicted of any crime/offense, and as such, the arrest was a product of job hazard majorly experienced in the creative space, particularly the business of digital currency.”