A group, Egbira Frontline Youth Council, has urgent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to called the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crime Commission, (EFCC),l to order, over former Governor Yahaya Bello's alleged fraud case..
The group made the call in a press statement titled "Is Yahaya Bello a Victim of Ethnic Minority", signed by its spokesperson, Comrade Adeiza Hamza and made available to journalists on Monday in Lokoja.
The group said they have absolutely lost confidence in EFCC for what it described as "unprofessionalism, lawlessness, media trial, selective justice".
According to them, the opening of fire at the official residence of a democratically elected Governor, is ethnic bias and victimization and violations of the rule of law.
Hamza called on President Tinubu to call the EFCC to order and their co travelers that were hell bent to disgrace, victimize and allegedly eliminate Yahaya Bello, referring to action that played out on 18th September 2024 at Kogi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
"We are notifying the Federal Government, Kogi State government, concern Nigerians and the world that we the ebira frontline youth council will resist any attempt by EFCC to eliminate our sons or any form of threat to life of Yahaya Bello, EFCC will be held responsible," the group stated.
The group made references to former Governor's of River, Zamfara, Kano among others who took the anti graft agency (EFCC) to competent court of jurisdiction to stop their arrest in the same manner Yahaya Bello did.
"EFCC obeyed the court including the recent order of the same Federal high court Abuja banning EFCC from arresting Seun Odewale Ex DG Procurement of Ekiti State,
"Why Yahaya Bello case is different to the extent that a legal organization like EFCC seen committing contempt of court in desperation to arrest Yahaya Bello?
"Former Governor Bello is obviously a victim of political persecution and ethic minority despite his labour and sacrifice for his People of kogi state, the party APC and Nigeria at large.
"When the deadly violence broke out Shasha market in Oyo State in early 2021 between yoruba and hausa traders which nearly escalated to major chaos in the country, Former Governor Yahaya Bello waged in, he invited Union of Traders and reconciled them in the best interest of Nigeria.
"Yahaya Bello did not just contribute largely to the building of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he also governed Kogi State with equitable distribution of resources of the state. He promoted unity and broke the jinx of tribal divine by ensuring equity and fairness.
"Yahaya Bello’s successor, His Excellency Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo said Kogi Money is not missing. Kogi State House of Assembly said no money is missing,.
"Moreover, there is no protest in Kogi State over missing money, but EFCC is compromising for selective justice by ethnic pressure and desperate politicians against Yahaya Bello
"EFCC should be wary of fabrications of falsehoods by those fanning the ambers of ethnic divides for political gains," the group said.
They added: "Yahaya Bello is not above the law likewise EFCC, therefore, investigate him in line with rule of law in the court of competent jurisdiction and not by media trial and guerrilla kind of arrest of yahaya bello to prove a point.
"The selective Justice, coordinated attacks, ethnic pressure and violation of the rule of law by the EFCC is very worrisome and bad omen to our democracy.
"Wike went to court to stop EFCC from harassing and arresting him. Bello Mattawale, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Peter Odili all did same.
"Even few days ago, the same Judge Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court that ordered the arrest of Alhaji Yahaya Bello for the alleged frivolous fraud case filed by EFCC also banned the same EFCC from arresting one Seun Odewale ex DG Procurement from Ekiti State who was accused of allegedly diverting money meant for airport.
"Wike the then Governor of River State and now Minister of the Federal capital territory accompanied former Governor of Ekiti State Ayodele Fayose to the EFCC in 2018. Rotimi Amaechi, the then Governor of River State accompanied Elrufai to the EFCC in 2014 among other instance. Why is Yahaya Bello's case different?
" When yahaya bello voluntarily submitted himself accompanied by Governor Ododo to EFCC Headquarters in Abuja, EFCC were the one that begged him to go back to the house without questioning or detaining him for interview.
"Later, that same night, the same EFCC anti graft agency invaded the Governor’s house like a guerrilla attack, shooting at the Governor’s lodge in a desperate bid to embarrass the Governor and arrest the same Yahaya Bello like a bandit?
"The fact that the EFCC is now violating the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its own extant guiding law is a call for concern and a danger to our democracy.
"They are hell bent to disgrace, embarrass and possibly eliminate Yahaya bello and even attempting the life of Governor Ododo at his official lodge.
"Shooting at the official residence of the serving Governor was the height of provocation against the democratically elected Governor which can not be tolerated anywhere in the world.
"This is the same EFCC who as at November 2023 banned operations at night now seen eating their own cake and want to have it" the group said.
By Stephen Adeleye
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