Kogi State House of Assembly has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to vacate the ‘wanted’ tag that it has placed on the name and picture of the immediate past Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in the ongoing effort to investigated the former Governor.
This follows a matter of urgent public importance that was presented on the floor of the house by the member representing Ajaokuta State Constituency in the house, Hon Jibrin Abu.
According to the motion, the whole narrative was principally sparked off by the blithe actions, without respect to the due legal process of Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, noting that the consequence of the EFCC’s action is the deep affection the issue has created in the minds, emotions, and impressions of Kogi citizens and by extension Nigerians.
He said the Assembly is disturbed that Kogi State, over the years, has witnessed a worrisome trend and torrent of witch-hunt by the anti-graft agency, unrepentantly striving to force corruption claims on the State Government, officials and now an Ex-Governor.
“This is not forgetting the plight of late Prince Abubakar Audu in the hands of the same agency, albeit, giving a dog a bad name for the kill,” the lawmaker said.
“House, note that the Commission started with claims that it discovered a non-existent fund in an alleged Fixed Deposit Account. By its statutory responsibility and while appreciating EFCC’s efforts in the fight against corruption, every right-thinking individual would hold it a duty to support it in no small measure to succeed in its primarily responsibilities. It is also possible as touted all around for those very wary of certain actions outside legal process by the EFCC to caution against allowing the Commission to become a tool for political vendetta.
“It is pertinent for the House to further note that the new objectives assured by the leadership of EFCC upon assumption of duty and in his fight against crimes and corruption under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu are to fight financial crimes with due diligence and legal process.
“These objcctives are being eroded by certain selfish group of political individuals with access to the media and investigations in the commission.
“Aware that the 7th Legislative Assembly of Kogi State in August and September 2021 berated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission upon the completion of its investigation over allegation of N20b Bailout diversion against the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello through a fixed deposit account at Sterling Bank, Lokoja.
“The EFCC has continued the trajectory of persecuting the former Governor against all known legal decencies and now likened, by most, to personal vendetta. But the question is why?
“A point of reference for the House to take cognizance of is the submission, that has wasted taxpayers’ money, the time of the honourable court and Nigerians, one Kemi Pinheiro SAN, acting on behalf of EFCC and other Legal luminaries, discovered that the case of N20b against the State Government lacked substance and that it was aimed at disrespecting the rule of law. The case was accordingly withdrawn citing 6 reasons. These reasons were in line with the findings of the 7th Legislative Assembly and for berating the EFCC.
“Indeed, the Rt. Hon. Speaker, distinguished honourable members, this was not without a fight by the then Governor, revealing to Nigerians the impotent drive by the Commission and its sudden acceptance of duties not enshrined in the law establishing the same.
“Of important note for the House is the fact that Kogi State, by allocation standard, is not rich so much so that N80.4b will be missing that the State will not be shaken to its foundation. This argufied claim by the EFCC should be sanctioned and taken as laughable. Innocent Nigerians and Kogi State citizens that bought into the lies should by their personal volition withdraw their support.
The lawmaker therefore prayed to the Assembly to “call on the anti-graft Agency to obey the rule of law and work within the ambit of law creating the Commission.”
He also urged the house to direct the EFCC to remove the tag of ‘wanted’ laced around the name and personage of the former Governor Yahaya Bello with a publication to that effect made as he is walking within the ambit of the Law and Court Orders made rather than escaping or resisting arrest, saying “the EFCC, IGP, IMMIGRATION, NSA & all agencies conscripted into this melodrama be so informed and involved to act accordingly.
“The Commission should, henceforth, not allow itself to become a tool of political vendetta, blackmail, or intimidation against any individual through personal grudges, persecution, and campaign of calumny to tarnish the image of personalities from Kogi State especially Alh Yahaya Bello or any perceived political enemy of the characters hiding behind their executive powers to unleash allegations through media for public consumption and sympathy.
“That the House condemns in its entirety a statement by legal sage suggesting a request that the military be involved in the case that does not constitute a threat to internal security or treasonable felony,” the member submitted.
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