A civil society organization, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement (INGRA) has called on immediate past Governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to submit himself to the same laws that he swore to uphold while in office.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director, Hamza Aliyu and made available to newsmen in Lokoja on Thursday, INGRA noted that rule of law means that no individual, president or private citizen, stands above law.
It stated further that laws should express the will of the people, not the whims of kings, dictators, military officials, religious leaders, or self-appointed political parties.
INGRA stated that the recent debacle between the former Governor of Kogi State and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the former’s residence in Abuja leaves a sour taste in the mouths of every lover of democracy.
The CSO also decried the action of Governor Usman Ododo, insisting that it was wrong to prevent the rule of law from taking its course.
“There is no gain saying that there has been bad blood between the Agency and the former Governor, however, it is very important as has been stated by the Attorney General of the Federation, that everyone invited in an investigation, must show respect to Nigeria and Nigerians by making themselves available to the authorities. The maxim in our jurisprudence is that EVERYONE IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION.
“For much of human history, rulers and law were synonymous – law was simply the will of the ruler. A first step away from such tyranny was the notion of rule by law, including the notion that even a ruler is under the law and should rule by virtue of legal means.
“It is important that despite our love for the former Governor and our insistence on his innocence, it is vital that no one, no matter his or her position, whether having immunity or not, should prevent the rule of law from taking its course. That is what makes us a democracy and we must all abide by it so that future generation will imbibe the virtue of respect for constituted authority.
“We may be benefiting from obstruction of justice today, but tomorrow we could be at the receiving end,” the statement read.
