Yahaya Bello: Coalition urges National Assembly to probe EFCC chairman

A coalition of civil society organisations has called on the National Assembly to take immediate action on a petition submitted against Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

The petition, submitted in May, alleged that EFCC officials attacked peaceful protesters at the commission’s headquarters, including protesters from various civil society organisations and Kogi youths.

The protesters were demonstrating against the EFCC’s refusal to obey a court order in a case involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

Reacting, the coalition condemned the EFCC’s actions, citing abuse of court processes and the use of state instruments to stifle civic space.

Recall Yahaya Bello was declared wanted by the EFCC but was not interrogated or arrested when he voluntarily presented himself at the commission’s office.

The coalition, in a statement signed Tuesday by its convener, Benjamin Oguche, called on the National Assembly to launch an investigation into the EFCC’s handling of Bello’s case and the commission’s overall conduct.

“Till date, the EFCC has not found to face to tell Nigerians what transpired when Yahaya Bello willingly submitted himself for questioning, instead they have adopted propaganda, half-truths and outright lies in a desperate attempt to redeem a fatally battered image. Nigerians are fully aware of the theatrics and antics, therefore cannot be fooled.

“We are therefore demanding that the Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede be immediately summoned by the National Assembly for questioning regarding the abuse of court processes for which the reputation of the EFCC under him is at all time low, including the use of state instruments to stifle the civic space.

“Also, we demand that the relevant committee of the National Assembly should immediately launch an investigation on how EFCC failed to interrogate Bello upon arrival at its Abuja office and the plot to eliminate him at Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro Abuja.
We also demand that the world is made to know exactly why a man declared wanted was not allowed to be interrogated after presenting himself as required,” the statement partly read.

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