Yahaya Bello And EFCC Arrest Saga: EFCC At Its Lowest Ebb In The Chekered History Of The Commission
By Barr. Haruna Usman
Ab initio, the Law establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the EFCC Act also empowers the Commission to cause an arrest of an individual who is under investigation for financial related offences. The said Act did not in any of its sections, suggest that personal emotion, personal scores and vendetta missions be brought to bear in the discharge of the Commission’s responsibilities or duties. High level of professionalism and unbiased posture is the hallmark of the Commission’s operations and activities since its inception. Hence, irrespective of the personal opinion or grudges or political differences of the Head of the Commission or any of her staffers, the operation of the Commission MUST at all times be carried out in tandem with the intents and dictates of the Law establishing the Commission.
To further put it differently, the Law is very clear and unambiguous as to the mode of arrest, time and circumstances under which arrest can be effected or persons can be arrested.
It will be recalled that Yahaya Adoza Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission sometimes ago in relation to allegations of financial misappropriation, whilst he was taking his time to explored his Fundamental Rights as guaranteed and protected under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended).
Whilst the former Governor of Kogi State continued to explore his Fundamental Rights under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Commission yet again declared him wanted and several publications were made in this regards on the official social media handles of the Commission.
It’s noteworthy that, it’s on this note that, oftentimes, Nigerians have to come to regard the current anti-graft agency headed by Mr Olukoyode as being more of media trial than courtroom trials; a sad situation where mere suspects or invitees of the Commission are already made susceptible to condemnation within the court of public opinion before their actual trial in law court (if the matter ever goes to court). Thus, this in itself, is a show of lack of professional conduct and incompetence.
On the 18th of September, 2024, the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello having explored his constitutionally guaranteed Rights decided to “voluntarily” submit himself to the anti-graft agency in company of the incumbent Governor of Kogi State, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo. And lo and behold, Yahaya Adoza Bello who was declared wanted few months ago by the Commission was at the facility of the Commission more than four (4) hours without any form of Interrogation or whatsoever, before the Chairman of the Commission finally sent one of his men (Mr Mike) to inform him that, he could take his leave with further instruction that, whenever the Chairman of the Commission is ready to receive him, he would call him to come.
On the strength of this directive, Yahaya Adoza Bello and the incumbent Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo left the facility of the Commission to the Kogi State Liaison office at Asokoro to await the call from the EFCC Chairman.
Eventually, the said Mr Mike came to Kogi State Liaison office at Asokoro insisting that he wants to arrest the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, whilst Yahaya Adoza Bello insisted that, he couldn’t be said to have been arrested now when he had earlier “voluntarily” submitted himself to the Commission before he was finally asked to leave without any form of question.
The former Governor of Kogi State insisted that, making his going back to the Commission look like he was being forcefully arrested would impugned on his personal integrity just as it would have completely eroded the fact that he had earlier brought himself to the Commission without any form of coerce coming from Commission.
He insisted that, he was ready to voluntarily go back to the Commission yet again, but the said Mr Mike clearly insisted that, he had to make his going back to the Commission looks like the former Governor of Kogi State is being arrested.
It’s upon the failure of the said Mr Mike to have him forcefully arrested that the said Mr Mike eventually called for more back up from the Commission. And the next thing was that, there were sporadic gunshots and chanting of gyration as if they had come to smoked out the world-deadliest terrorist from his hideout.
As a matter of fact, the situation was quite messy, thug-like, ambush-like, uncivilized and unprofessional just as it portrayed the hitherto law biding anti-graft agency as being kindergarten, biased, personal, unprofessional and vindictive.
From the totality of the unprofessional conducts of the Commission that was displayed yesterday, it’s now very clear to every discerning minds, the Human Rights Activists, every concerned individuals and to every lover and advocates of law and oder that, indeed, there is more than meet the eyes in this Yahaya Bello and EFCC arrest saga.
It’s on record that, we have had situations in the past where invitees by the Commission actually goes there alongside their political associates, friends and colleagues. And the Commission never had any cause to turned the invitees back on the premise that, he was there with other personalities.
In this light, we have the case of EFCC and the former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, in which the former Governor of Ekiti state had voluntarily submitted himself to the Commission alongside his political associates and friends. And the then Commission Chairman never turned him back simply because of the people that came with him.
In hinge sight, we could also recall the period of time when the former Hon. Minister for Aviation, Mr Femi Fani Kayode (FFK) was invited by the Commission and he was there with his political associates and friends. And it’s on record that, the then Head of the Commission never turned him back.
It’s therefore a thing of serious concerns how or where the present Chairman of the Commission derived his powers from to an extent that, he would not want to interrogate his invitee simply because the invitee is in company of his friends or political associates.
It’s a universal fact that, actions and inactions of the government and agencies of the government under democratic settings throughout the whole world must be founded in law, rules and regulations.
The general public and indeed, the Human Rights Activists are presently at a loss as no one could combed any section of the EFCC Act to support this dastardly, unprofessional and debasing acts of the EFCC as currently being run by the fifth Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyode.
On this note, I will not hesitate to call on the attention of Mr President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leadership of the NASS, and the fourth estate of the realm, the actors in the media sector, to as a matter of urgency, caution the Chairman of the Commission and its men to pay due regards to law and order, in order not to destroy the lofty legacies of the Commission as well as plunged the Commission into an avoidable mess and utter disrepute.
It’s on record that, the Commission has over the years earned for itself a long standing tradition of law and order as its guiding principle resulting in its goodwill, competence, integrity and good track records in the eyes of the general public.
It will be tantamount to double jeopardy, if with the current hardship and anger in the land, the Commission further worsened the situation by its show of utter incompetence, unprofessional and lackadaisical attitudes in carrying out its mandates.
May president Bola Ahmed Tinubu succeed,
May the Federal Republic of Nigeria succeed, Amen.
Written by : Barr. Haruna Usman 08036313456
