EFCC AND YAHAYA BELLO: SEPARATING THE WHEAT FROM THE TARES**by Gabriel Ottah PhD*



I used to dismiss claims that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was a tool used by those in power to witch-hunt perceived enemies or threats to their ambitions or interests. However, the EFCC's dealings with former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, have made me reassess this thought.

The EFCC is expected to enforce probity among Nigerians and prevent financial corruption by investigating suspected individuals and applying existing laws to punish those found guilty. Unfortunately, it has become clear that the EFCC is not always objective.

Alhaji Yahaya Bello was alleged to have mismanaged government funds, with inconsistencies in figures and dates. Some claims even stated that he stole government money before becoming governor in 2016, which raises questions about the validity of these accusations.

The EFCC's actions against Yahaya Bello have been questionable. They invited him for questioning, adopted a controversial approach to arrest him, and failed. The EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, declared Yahaya Bello as resisting arrest and even swore to resign if Bello wasn't arrested and dealt with. The EFCC then declared the former governor wanted.

However, Yahaya Bello voluntarily came to the EFCC to answer questions without coercion. The Commission ignored him, and later, its operatives stormed the Kogi Liaison Office to arrest Yahaya Bello, despite his earlier willingness to cooperate.

This sequence of events suggests that the EFCC has no genuine issue against Alhaji Yahaya Bello but is instead carrying out instructions from powerful government individuals. The recent Lagos State law allowing corruption cases to be transferred to the state's Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission raises further questions about the EFCC's motives.

The EFCC Chairman's statement about hindrances from frivolous court orders and technicalities also raises concerns. Is the Lagos State law frivolous? Should the rights of the former Governor of Kogi State be trampled upon?

Nigerians urge the EFCC to do its job professionally, without bias or sentiment. The agency's actions against Yahaya Bello have shown incompetence and bias. It's time for the EFCC Chairman to let Yahaya Bello enjoy his life after serving Kogi State for eight years.

As a former appointee of Yahaya Bello's government and a concerned citizen, I call on the EFCC to uphold justice and fairness.

*Dr. Gabriel Ottah,*
*Former DG Protocol and Special Adviser to the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello,*
*Senior Lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba.*

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