The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to see the case involving the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, over an alleged N80.2bn fraud to the end to protect its integrity.
Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasised the need for the EFCC to investigate other corrupt public officials to avoid the impression that their actions against Bello are merely witch hunt.
She expressed surprise at Bello’s excuse for not honouring the EFCC’s invitation while urging him to honour the invitation by the antigraft agency while he had the chance to clear his name.
In a now-viral video, the EFCC chairman claimed the former Kogi governor told him that a female senator (name withheld) allegedly gathered journalists to humiliate him anytime he was at the agency’s Abuja office for interrogation.
“I called Yahaya Bello, as a serving governor, to come to my office to clear himself. I shouldn’t have done that. But he said that because a certain senator had planted over 100 journalists in my office, he would not come.
“I told him that he would be allowed to use my private gate to give him a cover, but he said my men should come to his village to interrogate him,” Olukoyede was quoted as saying.
Reacting, the senator reminded Bello of the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws, given his former position as the chief security officer of his state..
She said, “I was surprised to hear that Yahaya Bello evaded the invitation from the EFCC, despite having served as Kogi’s former chief security officer. As a former governor, he should understand the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution.
“It’s a well-known fact that he who comes into equity must come with clean hands. As such, I advise him to honour the invitation and clear his name while he still has the chance.
“I’d also like to take this moment to appreciate the diligence of the EFCC in handling the case so far.
“No Nigerian is above the law, and therefore, the agency must see this case through to the end if they are to gain the trust of both Nigerians and the international community in the fight against corruption.”