Anti-corruption civil society organisations have described a statement credited to Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), calling for the arrest of former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, as a “display of egregious ignorance”.
The Coalition of CSOs, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, said with the current situation of things around the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission-Governor Yahaya Bello saga, only an uninformed person would still be calling for his arrest.
The activists said it was a known fact that HEDA had a history of encouraging executive lawlessness and threatened to begin exposing the various alleged misuse of civil society organizations by agents of the anti graft agency to promote actions that are detrimental to the cause of justice and legality.
“It is particularly hypocritical for HEDA to demand the arrest of Mr. Bello while failing to address the real issue: EFCC’s inaction! Only days ago, Mr. Bello voluntarily visited the EFCC headquarters in Abuja to respond to the allegations against him.
“Instead of recognizing this act of compliance, HEDA chooses to stoke unfounded outrage, thereby undermining the very process it claims to support,” the statement, signed by the Spokesperson of the Coalition, Comrade Olufemi Lawson, and five other leaders, on behalf of 120 CS0s, said.
The statement reads: “The Coalition of Anti-Corruption Organizations strongly condemns a recent media statement from the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), which demands the forceful arrest of former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on allegations raised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), that the former Governor is a fugitive. This call is not only reckless but represents an insidious disregard for the rule of law in our nation.
“HEDA’s appeal for the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the State Security Services (SSS) to act against Mr. Yahaya Bello violently is an insensitive and misguided incitement to disobedience of due legalprocedures. It is unacceptable for any organization to advocate for extrajudicial actions that threaten the integrity of our legal system, democracy and rule of law particularly when the rights of individuals are at stake.
“It is particularly hypocritical for HEDA to demand the arrest of Mr. Bello while failing to address the real issue: EFCC’s inaction! Only days ago, Mr. Bello voluntarily visited the EFCC headquarters in Abuja to respond to the allegations against him.
“Instead of recognizing this act of compliance, HEDA chooses to stoke unfounded outrage, thereby undermining the very process it claims to support
“Moreover, we must highlight HEDA’s troubling history of encouraging executive lawlessness. The organization has a documented pattern of pressuring the former EFCC chairman, Abdul Rasheed Bawa, to disregard lawful court orders, actions which ultimately culminated in his dismissal by President Bola Tinubu. This history raises serious questions about HEDA’s motives and credibility as a supposed advocate for justice.
“The ongoing trial of Alhaji Yahaya Bello is currently a matter before multiple courts, including the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The politicization of this case by the EFCC has not only created unnecessary drama but has also complicated the legal proceedings. HEDA’s insistence on a forceful arrest undermines the judicial process and disrespects the courts that are tasked with delivering justice.
“We here call upon the current chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, to remain vigilant against groups like HEDA that disguise their intentions under the guise of supporting anti-corruption initiatives. History shows that yielding to such pressures can lead to lawless actions that jeopardize landmark prosecutions and the integrity of the commission itself.
“As a coalition dedicated to promoting public accountability and justice, we stand firmly opposed to any action that seeks to undermine the rule of law and respect for our courts. The pursuit of justice must be grounded on lawful processes, not in sensationalist calls for unlawful arrests and persecution.
“Furthermore, the Coalition will begin exposing the various alleged misuse of Civil Society Organizations by the Commission to promote actions that are detrimental to the cause of justice and legality. Some individuals have exploited their positions under the pretense of fighting corruption while engaging in practices that erode public trust in our institutions.
“We urge all stakeholders, including civil society and the media, to recognize the importance of upholding legal standards in all matters related to anti-corruption. It is essential that allegations are addressed through the proper legal channels, without succumbing to mob mentality or unwarranted calls for immediate action. The biggest problem in the EFCC-Yahaya-Bello saga has been the unnecessary promotion of mob mentality through media trials of the former Governor.
“Moreover, we think that there is a display of egregious ignorance in HEDA’s statement. Only an uninformed person would, with the current state of the Yahaya Bello controversy, call for his arrest. The moral obligation falls on the EFCC to justify its perceived persecution of the former governor, especially after the Commission failed to engage him when he voluntarily submitted himself to its headquarters on September 18th. Now that he is still seeking redress in the highest Court in the land, a call for his unlawful arrest is a mere political jobbing, to say the least.
“Finally, we reiterate our steady commitment to ensuring that all actions taken against individuals, including Alhaji Yahaya Bello, adhere strictly to legal protocols. The Coalition of Anti-Corruption Organizations will continue to advocate for justice and accountability in our nation’s fight against corruption. God bless Nigeria.”
