FG Ordered Former Kogi Governor Yahaya To Submit EFCC's Probe

Yahaya Bello

ALHAJI Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, has been invited by the federal government to assist law enforcement and submit to an inquiry.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is looking for Bello because of alleged fraudulent acts that he engaged in while serving as governor, involving N80.2 billion.

On Wednesday, April, the EFCC besieged Bello's home in Abuja; however, Yahaya Bello was purportedly driven from the area by Ahmed Ododo, the current governor of Kogi State.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, personally signed a statement on Thursday, April 18, emphasizing that the EFCC is legally authorized to ask any Nigerian citizen to appear for questioning.

Prince Fagbemi raised alarm at Governor Ahmed Ododo's use of immunity to stop Bello from being arrested, calling it alarming.

He emphasized how crucial it is to protect the rule of law and issued a warning against any actions that might damage Nigeria's reputation abroad.

The Attorney General reiterated his dedication to defending the rights of every Nigerian citizen.

The statement read, “The bizarre drama confronting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the course of its efforts to perform its statutory duty has come to my notice (Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) as a matter of very grave concern.

“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 i,s 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.”