EFCC probe of Yahaya Bello unwarranted political persecution, says CSOs

A coalition of civil society groups has vehemently condemned what they described as “unwarranted political persecution and harassment against the immediate past governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The groups, comprising prominent voices such as the Kogi Ethnic Nationalities Union, Conscience Nigeria, and Civil Society for Transparent Leadership, among others, in a statement jointly signed Thursday by Adeyemi Olabode et al., accused the anti-graft agency of engaging in a media trial against Yahaya Bello without concrete evidence.

According to the statement, their investigation into the EFCC’s allegations revealed glaring inconsistencies and red flags, casting doubt on the accuracy of the accusations.

Among the discrepancies highlighted is the EFCC’s assertion that Alhaji Bello diverted funds in September 2015, a period preceding his assumption of office as governor. The coalition contends that Alhaji Bello only took office in January 2016, following the elections that ousted the previous governor.

Furthermore, the civil society groups criticized the EFCC for portraying Alhaji Bello as “at large” in its charges, despite not extending a formal invitation for him to address the allegations.

They also pointed to a previous incident where the EFCC falsely claimed to have uncovered N20 billion belonging to the Kogi State Government, a claim later refuted by the bank involved.

The coalition’s statement underscored a broader pattern of political vendetta aimed at undermining Alhaji Bello’s reputation and legacy, allegedly orchestrated by certain political figures threatened by his rising profile. They argued that such actions not only tarnish President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption agenda but also erode public trust in the EFCC’s commitment to fairness and the rule of law.

In response to the allegations, the civil society groups called on the EFCC to refrain from politicizing its anti-corruption efforts and to focus on impartially investigating allegations of corruption.

They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the federal government in combating corruption through the provision of accurate and credible information.

The coalition, however, lauded Alhaji Bello’s tenure, commending his administration’s track record of prudent resource management and emphasising widespread support from the people of Kogi.

The coalition urged the EFCC to cease what they characterised as “bizarre and libelous defamation” against Alhaji Bello, signaling a unified stance against perceived injustices allegedly perpetrated by the anti-corruption agency.