By Adesina Soyooye
Embattled, and on-the-run former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, says attempts to arrest him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will cause chaos.
The Governor, on Wednesday, resisted attempts by the anti- graft agency to arrest him from his house in the Wuse Area of Abuja.
The EFCC operatives had fenced his home in a bid to arrest him, but he was smuggled out by the Governor of Kogi State whose action has been condemn.
But in a reaction to his tango with the EFCC which has become both messy and embarrassing, Bello called on President Bola Tinubu to call the EFCC to order.
In a statement the Governor said: “We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the EFCC to order in the interest of legal sanity.
“Nigeria is not a lawless country. The EFCC’s alleged disobedience to court orders is a serious concern.
“We are aware of the total commitment of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the rule of law and can say categorically that the leadership of the EFCC might have offered the agency on a platter of gold to desperate politicians to convert to their score-settling tool without minding the effect on its integrity and the image of Nigeria as regards the rule of law.
“A situation where law enforcers disregard the rule of law is a definite recipe for anarchy, which will adversely affect every aspect of the nation’s economy.
“Nigerians have perceived the desperation of the anti-graft agency to embarrass and harass the former governor by all means through spurious allegations, especially the latest one dating back to September 2015, way before he assumed office.
“We are aware that there are clandestine moves to correct the error, but with even more questionable allegations, which would embarrass the Commission and Nigeria more than the initial one.
“It is unfortunate that an agency that is supposed to enforce the law is now the first culprit with respect to disobedience of court orders. This is a big dent on the fight against corruption. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.
“This is in spite of a subsisting order of injunction granted on 9th February 2024 by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Alhaji Yahaya Bello v. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, restraining the commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining or prosecuting Alhaji Yahaya Bello, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.”
The EFCC has, however, revealed that Yahaya Bello is hiding in Government House, Lokoja, and has declared him wanted.
