“The commission
started with claims that it discovered a nonexistent fund in an alleged fixed
deposit account,” he said.
“By its statutory responsibility and while appreciating
EFCC’s efforts in the fight against corruption, every right-thinking individual
would hold a duty to support it in no small measure to succeed in its primary
responsibilities.
“It is also possible, as touted all around, for those very
wary of certain actions outside the legal process by the EFCC to caution
against allowing the commission to become a tool for political vendettas.
“Kogi State, by
allocation standard, is not rich so much that N80.4 billion will be missing
that the state will not be shaken to its foundation.
“This 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 volition, withdraw their support.”
On his part, Enema Paul, lawmaker representing Okura
constituency, said the anti-graft agency has some questions to answer for
declaring Bello wanted.
“Why is EFCC in a haste? Nigeria is not a banana republic. I
was surprised to hear a senior lawyer to EFCC inviting the military in a civil
case. Have the police and DSS failed? the lawmaker asked.
“I think the EFCC should look at their lawyer. The man they
declared wanted is also in the appeal court with them.
“Declaring him wanted, I think EFCC has a lot of questions
to answer. We don’t want the military to rule this country, and somebody is
dragging us back to the olden days.”
Also speaking, Aliyu Umar Yusuf, speaker of the assembly,
urged the EFCC to abide by the country’s laws in its operations.
“This assembly supports the security agencies to do their
constitutionally assigned jobs because we are law-abiding people who understand
that it is only under the rule of law that democracy can thrive,” the speaker
said.
“But we will not, as
I earlier said, pander to the dictates of those who do not mean well for the
state and its development.”
In its resolution, the assembly asked the EFCC not to allow
itself to become a tool of political vendetta against Bello.
“The EFCC, IGP,
immigration, NSA and other agencies conscripted into this melodrama be so
informed and involved to act accordingly,” the assembly said.
“The commission should 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.”
EFCC VERSUS BELLO
On April 17, EFCC operatives laid siege on Bello’s residence
in Abuja to arrest him over alleged N80 billion fraud.
While the EFCC operatives were at Bello’s residence, Usman
Ododo, governor of Kogi, came to visit his predecessor.
Shortly after Ododo departed from the residence, the EFCC
operatives also left the house.
Bello was believed to have been rescued by Ododo from his residence
located in the Wuse Zone 4 district of Abuja.
Subsequently, the anti-graft agency declared the former
governor wanted.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has also placed Bello
on a watchlist.
The EFCC alleged that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of
staff to Ododo; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging
to the Kogi government.
