Ex-Ambassador urges EFCC to stop corruption fight against Yahaya Bello

Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Botswana and ex-lawmaker, Mr. Isaac Onuh, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to halt what he describes as a “deceptive” corruption fight targeted at the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

Ambassador Onuh, speaking with journalists in Lokoja on Friday, described Bello’s trial as an “unfortunate witch-hunt.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart warned the anti-corruption agency to desist from using unauthorized methods intended to harass and intimidate the former Kogi governor for exercising his inalienable right to contest the 2023 presidential election.

According to him, Bello’s presidential ambition may have driven his political enemies to manipulate the anti-graft agency to ridicule and tarnish his image, which he built over two consecutive terms as Governor of Kogi State.

He emphasized that Bello deserves respect and decorum from government agencies, including the EFCC, after having served the state diligently and meritoriously for eight years.

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The former lawmaker stated that the EFCC has acted against itself by leveling unsubstantiated, unconfirmed allegations of financial impropriety and dubiously declaring Bello wanted.

Onuh added, “The EFCC has not ceased its public humiliation of the former governor, whose tenure was rated by international financial agencies as prudent and frugal in managing state funds.”

“Yet the EFCC continues to embarrass him through media trials, highlighting the agency’s disregard for legality.”

“Nigeria, as a federation, operates under guiding principles that govern relationships with sub-national entities whose autonomy is guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and should be respected by all federal agencies, including the EFCC.”

“Kogi State, as a political and legal entity, is governed by laws passed by the State House of Assembly, which established a State Anti-Corruption Commission that consistently gave a clean slate to former Governor Bello and his administration.”

Ambassador Onuh asserted that the EFCC has disregarded existing laws by declaring Bello wanted, despite his willingness to respond to their invitation. He noted that both Governor Ododo and former Governor Bello visited EFCC headquarters, only to be declined by EFCC officials, who instead opted for a “commando-style operation” at the Kogi State Liaison Office in Abuja, seemingly to embarrass them.

He said, “No wonder Chief Olisa Agbakoba, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), recently wrote to the Deputy Senate President in a letter titled ‘Urgent Legislative Attention on Constitutional Reforms Relating to Law Enforcement Agencies and Anti-Corruption Efforts.'”

He added that the persecution of the former governor has continued for too long, underscoring the EFCC’s apparent aim to humiliate him without just cause.

The former Ambassador to Botswana noted that “irked by the EFCC’s lawlessness against one of their own, 19 state governors have approached the Supreme Court to question the constitutionality of the laws establishing the EFCC.”

The former lawmaker added that despite this substantial legality issue hanging over the agency, it has continued with reckless abandon to harass and intimidate the state by subjecting high-ranking officials to unnecessary summons and detentions.

Onuh, however, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a democrat and advocate of the rule of law, to call EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede to order before Nigeria’s image is further tarnished in the international community.