By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Forum of Amalgamated Unions of Concerned Kogi State Citizens has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the alleged harassment and persecution of former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The group raised concerns over what they described as the EFCC’s incessant intimidation of Bello regarding an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
During a press conference in Lokoja, the chairman of the Nigeria Middle Belt Forum, Comrade David Ehimoni, addressed reporters, accusing the EFCC of turning a legal prosecution into a politically motivated persecution. The event, titled “Prosecution or Persecution: A Case of Yahaya Bello and EFCC,” took place at Edge Drive Hotel.
“On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, we witnessed an unfortunate escalation in the ongoing harassment of our state,” Ehimoni said. “EFCC personnel stormed the Kogi Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, shooting sporadically in an attempt to arrest Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who had already voluntarily honored their earlier invitation.”
He continued by criticizing the agency for alleging that Bello stole part of N80 billion from the state’s coffers in September 2015, before his tenure as governor began in January 2016. Ehimoni also noted that on April 17, 2024, a court had issued an injunction restraining the EFCC from arresting or prosecuting the former governor. However, he claimed the EFCC sought a counter-injunction in a bid to continue pursuing Bello.
Ehimoni cited similar injunctions obtained by former Governors Bello Matawalle and Nyesome Wike of Zamfara and Rivers States, respectively. He pointed out that these former governors now serve as ministers in the current administration, and the EFCC has not pursued further action against them. He questioned why the EFCC’s actions toward Bello appear more aggressive.
“Matawalle’s successor appeared on national television accusing him of diverting over N400 billion, yet the EFCC ignored these allegations,” Ehimoni said. “Conversely, Wike, who was not declared wanted due to immunity during his governorship, now serves as a minister without being questioned by the EFCC.”
Ehimoni also highlighted the case of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who was arraigned alongside his family over alleged misappropriation of funds. He alleged that the EFCC has similarly turned a blind eye to this case.
“We believe that certain individuals are intent on destroying Yahaya Bello’s reputation by using the EFCC as a tool,” Ehimoni said. He further claimed that when Bello voluntarily appeared at the EFCC office, he was not granted an audience. Instead, armed men were later deployed to raid the Kogi Governor’s Lodge in a nighttime operation.
Ehimoni concluded by calling on President Tinubu to ensure that professionalism guides the legal processes involving Yahaya Bello, rather than political motivations.
