The Save Nigeria Coalition, a renowned anti-corruption group, has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over its handling of the prosecution of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.
The group alleged that the EFCC's actions are a "shameful outing" and a "media trial" that suggests a predetermined outcome.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Dr. Felicia Eneh Daniel, its Country Director, said the EFCC's failure to detain Bello after he voluntarily presented himself for questioning raises questions about the agency's intentions.
The Save Nigeria Coalition also slammed the EFCC for allegedly writing "barefaced lies" and making "irreconcilable blunders" in its attempt to prosecute Bello.
Furthermore, the group questions the EFCC's selective prosecution, citing cases against Senator Danjuma Goje, former governors Abdullahi Garden Grove and Samuel Ortom as well as Senator Godswill Akpabio that have not been pursued.
Daniel said: “There is nowhere in the civilized world where a law enforcement agency will allow a wanted man who voluntarily presented himself to its operational headquarters and spent Four gruelling hours with operatives of the agency to go without immediately detaining the person and asking critical questions that will enable swift and thorough prosecution of such suspects.
“The actions of the EFCC last week when Yahaya Bello, whom the agency had previously declared wanted and invited even the Interpol to assist in bringing to justice, voluntarily presented himself for questioning and prosecution, in line with the extant laws, suggests that what the agency wants is beyondnd legal prosecution of Yahaya Bello and that there is a hidden agenda that the EFCC and its handlers are yet to lead Nigerians into.
“It is appalling that the anti graft agency will now resort to writing barefaced lies and making up irreconcilable blunders in its desperate attempt to nail Yahaya Bello on the media and destroy a man who has not been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction despite having legal representation, as allowed by the law, in all the hearings.
“It is also intriguing that the EFCC will attempt to play on the sensibilities of Nigerians that the agency has no sacred cows and will spare no one in it’s efforts to rid the country and its institutions of financial improprieties. “
Daniel demands answers to several critical questions, including why the N5 billion case against Senator Danjuma Goje was withdrawn, why the EFCC hasn't prosecuted former governor Samuel Ortom despite corruption allegations, and why the EFCC hasn't investigated and prosecuted Ganduje.
“Why did the anti graft agency accede to the withdrawal of the N5billion case against former governor of Gombe state, Senator Danjuma Goje? We were all in this country when FG suddenly withdrew its case against Senator Danjuma Goje from the court.
“Why has the EFCC not prosecuted former governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state despite the monumental corruption allegations against him and the willingness of the present Benue state government to assist the anti-graft agency to unearth the endemic corruption that took place in the state during the Ortom government?
“Why has the EFCC refused to investigate and prosecute Former Governor of Kano state and now national Chairman of the ruling party , H.E Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, despite his indictment by the anti graft agency in Kano state and monumental corruption cases filed against him by the Kano state government? What happened to the viral Gandollar video? Or has the agency started keeping sacred cows?
“Why has the EFCC not prosecuted the current senate president, Senator Godswill Akpabio despite the allegations of billions of naira and his refusal to appear before the agency when he was invited for questioning? Do we now have to laws in Nigeria; one for the Akpabios and the other for the Yahaya Bellos?
“We can go on and on as a group that has dedicated years of its existence into tracking corruption cases under the radar of the EFCC.”
The Save Nigeria Coalition, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure the EFCC follows due process, warning that selective prosecution will undermine the country's democratic credentials.
They urged Nigerians to stand up for the rule of law and demand accountability from the EFCC.
Daniel added: “We call on Mr. President to intervene and call the EFCC to order as this unacceptable act of singling out a perceived political enemy for persecution, if allowed, will become a big dent to his tall democratic credentials.
“While we do not hold briefs for anybody, our group takes seriously, cases of corruption and believes in imbibing international best practices in making leaders accountable for their actions. The current kill-him-at-all-cost strategy by the EFCC in this current case involving Yahaya Bello is crude and unknown to our laws.
“Lastly, the fact that some illiterate cashivists like the so called Human and Environmental Agenda (HEDA Resource Center), and other fake groups are being hurriedly assembled to buy into this agenda of blackmailing and browbeating Yahaya Bello to submission, further confirms the fears of many Nigerians that this s-called corruption prosecution of Yahaya Adoza Bello is a grand conspiracy by powerful political enemies to silence the former governor and ease him out of circulation. “
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