CSOs Condemn EFCC’s Tactics Against Yahaya Bello

• Civil society organizations criticize EFCC’s tactics against former Kogi governor, citing anti-democratic behavior.

• More than 120 CSOs gather in Lagos to denounce Federal Government’s handling of EFCC’s actions.

• Activists call for adherence to rule of law, warn against undermining judicial system.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that several civil society organizations have criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for what they perceive as anti-democratic tactics in its law enforcement efforts against former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello.

They have also condemned the perceived misuse of state power by the Federal Government.

These criticisms follow the EFCC’s notice declaring Bello wanted for alleged money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion.

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Subsequently, Bello has been placed on the watch list of the Nigerian Immigration Service, and all police officers assigned to him have been withdrawn by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

However, more than 120 civil society organizations, accompanied by their members and supporters, took to the streets of Lagos on Saturday to criticize the actions of the Federal Government in the ongoing dispute between the EFCC and the former governor.

Leading the press conference were Debo Adeniran, Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership; Sina Loremikan of Campaign Against Impunity; Declan Ihekhaire representing Activists for Good Governance; Gbenga Soloki from CADOV; Ochiaga Ohaneze of Ohaneze Youth Council; and Funmi Jolade of Women Democratic Vanguard.

Also in attendance were Kola Abe from the Centre for Socioeconomic Rights; Ologun Ayodeji of Transparency and Accountability Group; Femi Lawson from the Centre for Public Accountability; and Gbenga Ganzallo of Media Rights Campaign, among others.

Addressing the issue, Adeniran emphasized that the EFCC did not send a formal letter of invitation to Bello, refuting claims that he evaded arrest.

EFCC’s Tactics

“Someone who was never invited, who has a valid court order restraining his arrest and harassment, among other reliefs, until the determination of the court case, could not be said to be evading arrest. It is deliberate misinformation to turn the public against the governor.

“If the FG continues in its iniquitous way of trampling on the rule of law by undermining our judicial system, we will mobilise a much larger number of Nigerians to join this pro-democracy struggle. It concerns all Nigerians because we don’t know who the next victim may be,” Adeniran noted.

The activist also called on the Federal Government to first obey all the court orders preceding their actions in court and then go ahead to vacate them through due process of law.

“There is no point in endangering anyone’s life unnecessarily because that’s the situation we believe that Yahaya Bello is in now. If the government doesn’t handle this matter carefully, it may shoot itself in the foot and put all Nigerians in collective injury.

“We have been on the side of the EFCC in many cases without gratification or prompting. But in this case, we insist that the EFCC is disregarding the rule of law and creating room for anarchy. And this must not be allowed to stand,” Adeniran added.

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Also speaking, one of the lead activists, Gbenga Soloki, said, “If the FG insists on inviting the military to intervene in a civil case involving a citizen, they should return power to the military so that we know that we are back to ground zero.”

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