By Yahaya Idris, Lokoja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been appealed to by the Forum of Amalgamated Unions of Concerned Kogi State Citizens to stop the EFCC’s harassment, intimidation, and persecution of former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
At a world press conference titled ‘Prosecution or Persecution: A Case of Yahaya Bello and EFCC’ in Lokoja, Kogi State on Monday, David Ehimony, the Kogi State Chairman of the Middle Belt Forum, stated that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello collaborated with security agencies to tackle insecurity and made Kogi State one of the most secured states in the country.
While acknowledging the lasting legacies of former Governor Bello in Kogi State, Ehimony urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to curb the shopping of judgments and conflicting injunctions by some judges handling corruption cases.
The group noted that former Governor Yahaya Bello made sacrifices and challenged vested interests by ensuring the APC held a presidential primary election in 2023, which secured the President’s candidacy despite conspiracies against him.
“The President should intervene to ensure professionalism in the prosecution of Former Governor Yahaya Bello, rather than the ongoing persecution, which appears to involve hidden agendas, with the hands of Jacob and voice of Esau at play.”
“If our leaders continue to face harassment, the people of Kogi state will have to make their voices heard. Strategically located between Southern and Northern Nigeria, bordering nine states and the FCT, our message will be clear. We demand dignity and honor for our people, equal to that afforded other Nigerians.”
He recalled the lengthy dispute between Yahaya Bello and the anti-graft agency that persisted throughout his term in office until January 27, 2024.
“On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, a meticulously planned assault on our state’s integrity reached its zenith, as we observed a disturbing dereliction of duty by those entrusted with safeguarding the rule of law.”
“On the same night, a bizarre incident unfolded as EFCC-ordered, gun-wielding officials attacked a sitting governor in an official lodge.”
“EFCC officials raided the Kogi Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, at night, firing shots indiscriminately in an attempt to apprehend former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who had earlier that day voluntarily complied with the EFCC’s summons.”
“This incident, following a string of crude actions and statements, raises our fundamental question: Who is seeking to compromise Alhaji Yahaya Bello? It bears recalling that former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello rose to prominence through self-driven efforts, unaided by a political patron.”
“He became Governor of Kogi State, defying the traditional reliance on godfathers. He served meritoriously for eight years and bowed out gracefully when Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo took over as incumbent Governor.”
” In the course of his service to Kogi State, and Nigeria by extension, he might have stepped on some big toes who now want him out at all cost. These aggrieved vested interests, we believe, are playing the tunes EFCC is dancing to.
“In the last three years, it has become obvious that the anti-graft agency is in a hurry to persecute Yahaya Bello based on the following inconsistent actions which have exposed the Commission’s mischiefs: The EFCC told the whole world in August 2021 that N20 Billion bailout fund meant for Kogi workers had been diverted into a private account.
“The commission secured an order of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to freeze Kogi State salary bailout account domiciled in Sterling Bank Plc over a ₦20 billion loan allegedly obtained from the bank.
“Justice Tijjani Ringim granted the order to freeze the account pending the conclusion of the investigation or possible prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“The EFCC’s claims were disputed by Sterling Bank and Kogi State’s Finance Commissioner, who deemed them entirely false. Rather than admitting error, EFCC falsely claimed on social media that the bailout funds were returned to the CBN. Kogi State Government’s subsequent lawsuit and N35 billion damage claim prompted EFCC to withdraw the case quietly.”
“On February 5, 2023, in the ongoing trial of other persons in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/550/22 before Honourable Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, the EFCC amended the charge to include in Count 1 the allegation that Yahaya Bello conspired with others, including a Kogi State Government House Cashier, to convert N80 Billion in September 2015. The EFCC alleged that Yahaya Adoza Bello, the former Governor, stole money from Kogi state government coffers in 2015, before taking office.”
“The EFCC’s claim that Yahaya Bello stole N80bn from Kogi State in September 2015, before becoming governor in January 2016, is shameful, especially since they later revised the charges to February 2016, shortly after he took office.”
“The November 2015 election marked the beginning of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, CON’s tenure as Governor of Kogi. Prior to this, H.E. Captain Idris Wada of the PDP held the office until January 27, 2016, when he handed over to H.E Yahaya Bello. It is therefore impossible for Yahaya Bello to have colluded in misappropriating Kogi State Government funds as of September 2015.”
“In a clear attempt to implicate Former Governor Yahaya Bello, the EFCC went into overdrive, revealing the agency’s ulterior motives.”
Ehimony cited additional instances of abuse of power by the anti-graft agency, highlighting that the former Kogi State Governor had taken his case to a court of competent jurisdiction to protect his fundamental human rights.
Explaining further, the spokeperson of the group said “On April 17, 2024, a court of competent jurisdiction restrained EFCC from arresting, detaining and prosecuting Yahaya Bello. In a desperate bid to persecute the former Governor, the EFCC went to another court to procure a counter injunction. Even before the counter injunction was procured, the Commission laid siege on the former Governor’s residence on Benghazi Street, Wuse, Abuja. It was a day of horror.
“It is worth noting that former governors Bello Matawalle and Nyesome Wike of Zamfara and Rivers states obtained similar injunctions that the EFCC did not challenge. Today, they are freely serving as ministers in the current federal government, while the EFCC secured a counter injunction in Yahaya Bello’s case.”
“We are even more worried because these governors have been accused by their successors of diverting billions of naira during their tenure. Matawalle’s successor appeared on national television, stating that over 400 billion naira was diverted and that they had drawn the EFCC’s attention to the issue, but the EFCC ignored these claims. Conversely, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has never declared any missing funds. Yet, the EFCC is pursuing him aggressively, unlike in cases where governors reported diversions.”
The group recalled that on May 24, 2022, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared the then Rivers State Accountant-General, Fubara Similayi, and 58 others wanted for allegedly committing a N435 billion fraud.
“Wike, as Governor, had immunity protecting him from being declared wanted. Now, lacking immunity, he hasn’t received an invitation for questioning from EFCC and instead serves as a minister within the same government.”
“Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Kano State, was arraigned at a Kano State High Court on April 17, 2024, alongside his wife and son, by the state anti-graft agency for alleged fund misappropriation during his governorship. However, none of them appeared in court to defend the allegations, despite this, the EFCC turned a blind eye.”
“Some individuals are desperate to destroy Yahaya Bello using the EFCC. Despite instances of selective justice, former Governor Yahaya Bello voluntarily honored the commission’s invitation on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, and spent over four hours at the EFCC headquarters, providing pictures and video evidence.”
“The man who was purportedly declared wanted went to EFCC office and he was not even granted audience let alone interrogated or taken into custody. In a shocking turn of events, EFCC mobilzed armed men and laid a siege on the Kogi Governor’s Lodge in a night raid.
The group recalled how the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, ordered an end to nighttime sting operations in all Commands, as widely reported last year.
He issued the directive in Abuja on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, in response to the arrest of 69 suspected internet fraudsters by operatives from the Ibadan Zone of the Commission in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
“If EFCC had placed a ban on sting operations at night, last year, why the sudden U-turn to chase after Former Governor Yahaya Bello at night using the same sting operations?
He argued that what happened last week confirmed the group fears that the whole drama is more political than a fight against corruption.
“The spokesperson noted, ‘Reports indicate the EFCC claimed it was unable to interface with Bello due to the current Governor’s presence, citing immunity. This rationale is confusing. Since when does a sitting governor’s accompaniment hinder an interface?”
“We recall instances where sitting governors have accompanied individuals to the EFCC without issue, such as when former Rivers State Governor Barr. Nyesome Wike accompanied former Governor Ayo Fayose to the Commission’s office, which did not hinder the EFCC from interrogating Fayose.”
“To further expose their hypocrisy, consider this: the Governor they accused of using immunity to obstruct them was at the Kogi Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro when EFCC operatives raided the Kogi Government House in Abuja, firing shots recklessly. Were the gunshots intended to harm Bello?”
“The EFCC appears to have a vendetta against former Governor Bello and, by extension, the entire Kogi State. Notably, the only former governor publicly handcuffed and paraded by the agency to date was Prince Abubakar Audu, the late former governor who achieved distinguished accomplishments while governing Kogi State.”
“Similar to the ongoing pursuit of Bello, EFCC officials severely vandalized his vehicle and forcibly extracted him from his convoy. He was handcuffed and transported to Lokoja in a manner befitting a common felon, despite unsubstantiated allegations. Should he not have been presumed innocent until proven guilty?”
“It is worth noting that Audu and Bello have established themselves as forward-thinking governors with notable accomplishments. Their adoption of a predetermined narrative in Bello’s case may lead to a similar undesirable consequence that befell the respected former Governor Audu.”
“We seek clarification: does the EFCC’s treatment of Kogi leaders reflect a perceived inferior status within the Nigerian polity? Would they adopt the same approach with former governors from other states? Regrettably, Kogi’s subordinate position in national governance is well-documented.”
Kogi state is consistently marginalized when strategic positions are zoned to the North Central geo-political zone. Does the persistent failure to appoint a Senate President or Deputy Senate President from Kogi, despite regional zoning, indicate a deliberate oversight? This noticeable pattern also applies to the allocation of Speakership and Deputy Speakership roles in the House of Representatives.
Furthermore, regarding project implementation and critical infrastructure development, Kogi State is often overlooked as a priority, despite its strategic position as a gateway connecting Southern and Northern Nigeria.
