A coalition of youth groups in Northern Nigeria has decried the handling of the case involving a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and lamented that the ongoing saga might trigger a crisis in the country.
The 17 groups which met in Suleja, Niger State, expressed “deep concerns over disregard for due process and the rule of law by the EFCC in the treatment of the former governor.”
The groups, including North Central Progressive Voice and the Middle-Belt Vanguard, had earlier organised peaceful protests and press conferences across Northern cities between April and May 2024.
They had also held events in Jos, Plateau State; Minna, Niger State; Lafia, Nasarawa State; Zaria, Kaduna State; Damaturu, Yobe State; Makurdi, Benue State; Gombe, Gombe State; Maiduguri, Borno State, Abuja, Daura, Katsina State; Ilorin, Kwara State and Bauchi, Bauchi State.
They had delivered open letters to governors, traditional rulers, and former military leaders, and had urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the escalating crisis between the EFCC and ex-Governor Bello.
For instance, in Jos the coalition highlighted the EFCC’s alleged raid on Yahaya Bello’s residence, which they claimed defied a court injunction while similar protests took place in Minna, where the group delivered an open letter to former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, urging him to appeal to President Tinubu on their behalf.
The climax of their activities was an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, which was delivered during a mass protest at the Unity Fountain in Abuja on May 3, 2024. The letter called for the immediate intervention of President Tinubu to curb what they described as EFCC’s misuse of power in its handling of Bello’s case.
In the letter, the coalition accused the EFCC of disregarding legal processes and condemned the agency for tarnishing the image of political leaders without proper judicial oversight, and expressed concern that “the EFCC’s actions could undermine democratic principles and pose a risk to national stability, especially in light of the country’s current economic hardship.”
The groups reiterated that their peaceful protests and meetings were not only because of Bello “but is also aimed at protecting the sanctity of the law and the future of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.”
Spokesperson of the groups, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman said: “The most recent development in this ongoing saga occurred 153 days after the EFCC declared Yahaya Bello wanted over allegations of mismanaging N80.2 billion. On September 18, 2024, Bello, accompanied by his successor, Governor Ahmed Ododo and other dignitaries, voluntarily appeared at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja for questioning. However, EFCC officials refused to attend to Bello, saying they will invite him at their convenience.
“This refusal by the EFCC to engage with Bello, despite his willingness to comply, further fuelled concerns about the agency’s motives. The situation escalated when, later that night, EFCC operatives reportedly surrounded the Kogi Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, where Bello was staying waiting for them to invite him as earlier agreed.”
The Director of Yahaya Bello’s media office, Mr. Ohiare Michael, claimed that EFCC operatives allegedly shot sporadically, attempting to arrest the former governor.
Suleiman condemned the action of the EFCC, saying it was “a dangerous overreach by the EFCC that not only undermines the rule of law but also sets a troubling precedent for how political figures are treated in Nigeria.”
He said “the EFCC’s conduct risks plunging the country into further instability. Given the fragile economic state of Nigeria, with widespread hardship and public discontent, the coalition fears that the EFCC’s actions could lead to a national crisis.”
They cautioned that the continued harassment of political figures including Yahaya Bello, without adherence to due process, could provoke public outrage and undermine confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The coalition called on President Tinubu to urgently intervene and rein in the EFCC to prevent further escalation of the crisis, and emphasised the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that agencies like the EFCC are not used to settle political scores.
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