“That was a clear
abuse of immunity. The immunity provision is meant for him alone. He has no
right to extend it to other people. What he did by aiding Yahaya Bello’s escape
was illegal and unconstitutional,” Sagay said.
“It is good the EFCC officials were restrained because they
would have been justified in physically engaging the governor’s security team
in order to seize Yahaya Bello from them.
“What the governor did was illegal. He was hiding a fugitive
and that is a criminal offence. He is making himself an accessory after the
fact.”
Sagay also advised Bello to honourably submit himself to the
EFCC in order to avoid being humiliated. He said no matter how Bello tries to
hide, the anti-graft agency will eventually smoke him out.
“Whether his hands are clean or not, he should come out and
report to EFCC. If he doesn’t, in the end they will still get to him,” he
added.
“If he reports himself voluntarily, he will be treated with
respect. They will interview him and if they see nothing serious enough to
detain him, they will release him.
“If they have anything on him, they will give him
administrative bail and he will go home to prepare for his defence. So, what he
is doing now by hiding is that he is bringing down his own image and bringing
himself down in public.
“He is creating a
situation in which he may be humiliated unnecessarily. At the end of the day,
they will still get him. So, I will advise him to surrender himself in a
responsible manner so that his dignity could be kept intact.”
The EFCC is accusing Bello of financial misappropriation and
corruption to the tune of N80.2 billion.
