The Nigerian government has told Kogi State’s former Governor Yahaya Bello to report to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which has declared him wanted for an alleged N84 billion fraud during his tenure.
The EFCC is pushing a 19-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja, against the Ex-Governor and two others, over money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds amounting to N84 billion.
In a statement on Thursday, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, warned that the anti-graft agency should not be obstructed from performing its lawful duty.
Describing as “bizarre drama,” Bello’s escape from the barricade the agency mounted at Bello’s home to arrest him on Wednesday, armed with a court warrant, Fagbemi said EFCC must not be prevented from its efforts to perform its statutory duty.
The incumbent Governor of Kogi State and Bello’s godson, Ahmed Ododo, was said to have whisked him away in his official car
Further the AGN wrote: “It is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigation into any matter regardless of status.
“Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC but to honourably answer their invitation.
“A situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, insufferably disquieting.
“A flight from the law does not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbates it.
“I state unequivocally that I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC and indeed any other agency to order when there is indication of any transgression of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies but I also tenaciously hold the view that institutions of State should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently.
“Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.
“I therefore encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world.”
Bello’s media aide had posted a statement while the Wednesday siege lasted for the AGN and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and call off EFCC.
Bello is a member of the ruling APC.
