A source told our reporter that following the release of former minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and a former Presidential spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati, the EFCC has also placed a ban on all visits to the inmates and suspects. The source said, ” following the release of Obanikoro and Abati the EFCC have placed a ban on all visits and stopped all suspects and inmates from making phone calls to their lawyers, family members and loved ones. This is due to the number of solidarity visits that many of the politicians in custody, including Bala Mohammed and Femi Fani-Kayode, were receiving.” Sources in the EFCC confirmed that the order was contained in a circular from the Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu. The source added, saying, ‘This has resulted in untold hardship amongst all those in EFCC custody in Abuja. It would be recalled that since Monday this week, the Headquarters of the EFCC has been a beehive of activities with high placed Nigerians paying solidarity visits to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Senator Bala Mohammed, former Spokesperson to ex- President Goodluck Jonathan campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani- Kayode; minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and a former Presidential spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati. It would also be recalled that former Minister of the defunct Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Jeremiah Useni, PDP, Plateau South and one time Presidential candidate, Chief John Dara yesterday had on Thursday paid a solidarity visit to the cell of the EFCC. Also with them were former Minister of Culture; Abubakar Mohammed; Ambassador Iliya Damagua; Hon. Halliru Ilea member House of Reps, Hon. Salisu Ningi, member House of Reps, Aremo Adekunle Alao, PDP leader from Osun state, Chief Babatunde Ajala, PDP leader from Osun and Mr. Jonathan Asake of the Christian Information Network. Senator Useni and others had arrived at the EFCC Headquarters at 4.30 pm and encouraged the four detainees and prayed for them. They expressed their joy at the fact that the four of them looked very well and were remaining strong.” Also recall that the National Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi had on Wednesday led other members of his Executive Committee on a solidarity visit to the cell of the EFCC. Also with the former governor of Kaduna State during the visit were the National Secretary, Senator Ben Obi; National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye; National Organising Secretary, Senator Abdul Ningi; Senator Odion Ugbesia and Hajiya Binta Kuraye. On Tuesday, Senate leader Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South had led former Senate Leader, Senator Teslin Folarin; Senate Minority Whip, Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, PDP, FCT; Senator Ali Wakil, APC, Bauchi South and Senator Isa Misau, APC, Bauchi Central on a similar visit to the suspects. Prior to the visit of Ndume and others, the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Revered Father Matthew Hassan Kukah, had on Monday visited them at the EFCC cell. Source: Vanguard ]]>