CD says it doubts EFCC’s boss’ sincerity in fighting corruption

Spread the love

By Thompson Yamput

The Campaign for Democracy (CD) on Thursday says it doubts the sincerity of the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in leading the fight on corruption in the country.

The CD President, Comrade Ifeanyi Odili, who made the remark in a statement issued in Lokoja, alleged that it appears EFCC has ulterior motive on some individuals other than fighting corruption.

Odili called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately relieve the Chairman of the commission, Ola Olukoyede, of his job, whom he accused of demonstrating lack of capacity to hold such office.

The CD, a frontline Civil Society Organization in Nigeria, said it was unimaginable that the former Kogi Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who the same EFCC had placed on watchlist, enlisted security agencies in Nigeria and Interpol to help fish out, walked into the EFCC premises, waited for about three hours and no arrest or interrogation happened.

“Instead, they told him to go, that they would get back to him only to issue a laughable statement that he was still a wanted man,” .

“EFCC’s excuse that they couldn’t arrest Bello because a sitting governor accompanied him to their office is the main reason Olukoyede should be asked to go home.

“Many people had castigated this man for long even though many others believed the case was mainly that of persecution.

“In all of this, CD did not dabble into the matter. Now that the matter has taken a dramatic turn, one that touches on democratic principles and affects the country’s image, it is pertinent for well meaning Nigerians to lend their voice.

“Associates of the former governor had been raising the alarm that his life is at risk. With the events of yesterday (Wednesday 18th September, 2024), any right thinking person would conclude that his life must be truly at risk.

“You said you couldn’t arrest him or interrogate him in your office because his governor was there, yet you went, at night, to the official residence of the same governor in Abuja to start firing gunshots as if Nigeria is a lawless society. This is unacceptable,” he stated.

The CD chairman argued that in saner climes, the EFCC boss would have been fired the next morning.

According to him, Yahaya Bello, has fulfilled all righteousness by the turn of events that culminated in a show of shame Wednesday night

“It appears the EFCC has an ulterior motive definitely different from the fight against corruption and which is dangerous for nation’s wellbeing,” Odili said.

It could be recalled that Yahaya Bello, had on Wednesday honoured the invitation of the anti graft agency by walking into it’s Office but left unquestioned.

Bello had honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial fraud.

A statement issued by the Director in his Media Office, Mr Ohiare Michael, said that officials of the anti graft agency did not interrogate the former governor during his visit.

“The EFCC did not interrogate him as officials told him he could leave.

“We don’t know what this means yet.

“But as we write, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office. He was accompanied there by the Governor of Kogi State, HE Alhaji Usman Ododo, ” he said.

However, Bello was reported to have made the decision to honour EFCC’s invitation after due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies.

He had also said that the former Governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had, all the while, only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.

The director said that the case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing.

“It is important for the former governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.

“The former governor believes firmly in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development; and supports the fight against corruption in the country.

“It is on record that he was the first Governor of Kogi State to put in place an anti-corruption mechanism to check graft and ensure that the resources of the State work for the people of the State.”

The director had said that Bello was accompanied to the EFCC Headquarters by high profile Nigerians.

He had expressed the hope that the Commission would be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The former Kogi governor has been having running battle with the anti graft agency in Courts over his invitation and the alleged financial misappropriation labeled against him.

Visited 12 times, 1 visit(s) today

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *