Alleged N80.2bn fraud: Yahaya Bello not criminal, Okun youths tell EFCC

Okun youths in Kogi State have condemned the alleged persecution of the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

Addressing a press conference in Lokoja on Saturday,  the Co-Convener of Okun Youths, Barrister Emmanuel Ayo, described the allegations of N80.2 billion embezzlement of funds against the former Governor Bello as unfounded, adding that the anti-graft agency keeps embarking on media trial without substantiating evidence to prosecute the former Governor.

The group vowed that they would continue to stand with the former  Governor for his good work in Kogi State.

Ayo said, “We want the EFCC to have a total departure from the media quagmire against former Governor Bello and remain focused. They are professionals and they should abide by the ethics of their jobs and ensure that they mend fences when there is a need.

“Former Governor Bello is a Nigerian and of course, he must answer to the Court. But he has to be called rightly in accordance to the rule of law. You don’t just call him like somebody who is on the market or something you just pick from anywhere.

“He is not a criminal. Okun people is saying he is not a criminal because the Court has not adjudged him to be a criminal. On that instance, his purported arrest by EFCC will not stand. We have no reason as a people to join other Men of the world to condemn him when he has not been found guilty of this insinuation because it is still a mere insinuation.

“That is why you see that Court ruling and judgment are meeting at crossroads. It brings us to the fact that they are Nigerians that are involved in this matter and there are people of intellect holding all what they have to bear. You see this judgement from this Court and see that from the other Court.

“It means that there is sense of people trying to just get freedom. Even the EFCC, I can categorically tell you that they know that what they are doing. They have not fulfilled the criteria and they are jumping blocks.

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“They know it. EFCC are acting unprofessionally. You don’t expect the person of Alhaji Yahaya Bello to submit himself to such a thing that is illegal. However, the Court will rule very soon in the coming days and if need be, our laws are wise and they are going to speak categorically.

“Alhaji Yahaya Bello, our State leader will stick to it. Okun people are just saying that, we as a people until he is found guilty, and we don’t believe he will be guilty of any offence, but for now and as we believe, we are strongly with him.  On that, we stand.”

Ayo, on behalf of Okun Youths, passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo.

“Again we want to pass a vote of confidence on his excellency, the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for obvious reasons. The reasons are well known to all Kogites that wish to be positive. Even we that voted for him, we are amazed by his rapid style of governance.

“Some of our people voluntarily have gone on the street to start making voluntary propagation of his achievement such as ongoing construction of roads, healthcare facilities, disbursement of bursary.  Governor Ododo has rejuvenated the bursary system and scholarship board in the State.

“We have several reasons why we are solidly behind this Government. And on that, we stand. There are other sectors in the State that Governor Ododo has made a giant stride. Governor Ododo has the Youths at heart for his prompt attention to Youths in the State.

” The monthly subventions that were not paid have been attended to by Governor Ododo. We are witnessing prompt payment of Civil Servants’ salaries in Kogi State and the increments in the wages paid to Local Government staff.

“We are seeing an improvement in the laid-down legacies and we see that the 32-year master plan initiated by former Governor Bello has actually ensured that the master plan is workable and the present Governor has brought something into reality because we are seeing it that it is workable. Our demands are very simple as Okun People.”

He, however, urged the present administration to give full funding to the tertiary institution in Okun land, adding that The Okun people remain united for the success of the present administration in Kogi State.