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Yahaya Bello: Kogi Assembly Demands EFCC Chairman’s Removal

Published

3 months ago

Sep 24, 2024.

The Kogi State House of Assembly has called for the removal of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede, citing the alleged mishandling of the corruption case against former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello.

During a plenary session in Lokoja on Monday, the legislators condemned the EFCC’s attempted arrest of Bello, describing the agency’s actions as unprofessional and accusing it of attempting to assassinate both Bello and the current governor, Usman Ododo, by firing shots during the raid at the Kogi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.

The motion for urgent public importance was raised by Ankpa 1 State Constituency lawmaker, Akus Lawal, and supported by Ijumu State Constituency’s Jacob Olawunmi.

Lawal criticized the EFCC’s approach in the alleged N80.2bn fraud case against Bello, calling it humiliating. Other legislators echoed these sentiments, with Ajaokuta State’s Abu Jibril asserting that Olukoyede should not only be removed but also prosecuted.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Bode Ogunmola, representing Ogori/Magongo State, argued that the EFCC disrespected the Governor’s Lodge, which should be a safe haven, and demanded that Olukoyede be sacked and prosecuted.

Majority Leader Suleiman AbdulRazak alleged that EFCC officials attempted to stage a fake arrest of Bello, further accusing the agency of acting on political motives.

Yahaya Bello Kogi Assembly EFCC

The Assembly passed a resolution urging President Bola Tinubu to remove Olukoyede immediately, accusing the EFCC of pursuing an agenda beyond its anti-corruption mandate. The lawmakers labeled the recent incidents involving the EFCC as assassination attempts on Bello and Ododo.

In a separate development, an NGO accused Governor Ododo of shielding Bello from justice and obstructing the EFCC’s efforts to prosecute the former governor, calling on President Tinubu to intervene and uphold the rule of law.