The idea to hold public officers accountable while in office or at the end of their tenure is part of our democratic process to stamp out corruption and instill financial discipline and accountability in government institutions, particularly for public office holders. However, it is important such action by the anti-graft agency follow due process and respect for rule of law after diligent investigation.
But what Nigerians had witnessed in the last couple of days shows clearly how the EFCC constituted itself in fighting proxy wars with obvious personal and political agenda at display.
For six months, the Nigeria anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), had declared the former kogi governor Yahaya Bello wanted for alleged financial crime while in office as Governor of Kogi State.
After several judicial pronouncements of issues bordering on violation of fundamental rights and allegations of political witchunt, the Nation woke up on Wednesday 16th of September, 2024, to hear that the former governor, Yahaya Bello had decided to submit himself to the anti-graft agency accompanied by his successor, Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo at the headquarters of the Economic and financial crimes commission in Abuja.
Surprisingly, the EFCC in their wisdom that later turned out to be a calculated attempt to cause mayhem and put the lives of innocent Nigerians at risk, asked a “wanted” former governor in their office to go home and returned when they are ready to receive him.
Then The Asokoro Shooting
The shooting at Kogi Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro on the 18th of September, 2024, by operatives of EFCC who invaded the Kogi Liaison Government House in Asokoro, Abuja was akin to a coup d’etat, a brazen show of lawlessness and disregards for constituted authority. It is a complete national disgrace by EFCC in a botched attempt to arrest and hand cuffed someone that had earlier voluntarily submitted himself at their Abuja office for questioning and interrogation but was asked to leave.
The event, which resulted in sporadic shooting and gunfire at the official government lodge and in presence of a sitting Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is condemnable and totally absurd to say the least.
Why is the EFCC so fixated in physically arresting and parading Yahaya Bello before the camera? Having turned himself in, was he not supposed to be questioned and interrogated for the alleged financial crime as we are made to believe? Is the country’s anti-graft agency now trying to please certain cabal thereby jettison operational rules and respect for rule of law? Why the political witch hunting of former governor Yahaya Bello?
Gov. Ododo’s Display of Maturity & Respect for Rule of Law
The uncommon display of leadership qualities, maturity, humility and complete respect for the rule of law by the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, saved the Nation a historic black Wednesday at Asokoro, Abuja. Gov. Ododo’s impressive action and timely response in the face of undeserved provocation and embarrassment by operatives of EFCC averted blood bath by security operatives.
Ododo’s action saved lives of many Innocent Nigerians including law enforcement agents. This type of leadership acumen that valued lives and have maximum respect for rule of law and human dignity deserved commendation and applauses from all lovers of democracy.
For the Economic and financial crimes commission, it is high time our dear President Bola Tinubu and indeed the National Assembly commence total overhauling and re-organization of the agency with particular respect to head of the commission. The EFCC as presently constituted have failed to uphold the very ethics and principles they are supposed to protect.
The restructuring will help curbed the rising executive rascality, gross violation of fundamental rights of citizens and contempt for the rule of law by the Economic and financial crimes commission (EFCC)
– Abdulmumin Abubakar writes from Okene
08066223843 – (Wattsapp Only)
