Yahaya Bello: EFCC, Crime or Confused Commission?

Yahaya Bello: EFCC, Crime or Confused Commission?

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

The latest episode between the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), has left many Nigerians with no option than to ask if the two ‘Cs’ in the acronyms of the Commission (EFCC) stand for double confusion.

The confusion surrounding the incident is a perfect example of the EFCC’s tendency to create chaos and undermine public trust.

According to reports, Bello showed up at the EFCC office in Abuja on Wednesday, accompanied by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, but was not interrogated. Instead, he was allegedly told to leave.

The anti-graft agency later had a sting operation launched against him at the Kogi State Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja. 

In what could be described as a national show of shame, resistance by security operatives at the governor’s lodge on Wednesday night led to an altercation with armed officials firing gunshots as seen in a video made available online.

Recall that the EFCC,  on Thursday, April 18,  2024 declared Bello wanted in connection with alleged 80.2billion money laundering.

The EFCC had stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and attempted to arrest him but couldn’t succeed.

The matter has been in court and many are worried that the former governor has not appeared before the trial judge despite many adjournments.

However, Bello who has been on the EFCC watchlist for months showed up at the Ola Olukeyede-led Commission’s headquarters yesterday, yet he was not arrested.

It was learnt that EFCC Chairman, decried the method of reporting to the commission.

When he realized that  Bello came with the governor and some dignitaries, he directed that no official should attend to him.

A source in EFCC revealed that he came with grandeur which is contrary to the Commission’s procedures.

“We have not been comfortable with the roles of the governor in this case. We cannot be intimidated or subject our system to political pollution. This made the Executive Chairman of EFCC to direct that no official should attend to Bello. He must undergo due process like every invitee.

“There was a narration that the ex-governor was already in EFCC’s custody but he’s not here. He’s still being wanted. As long as Bello does not conform with our protocol, our operatives will arrest him. We are still looking for him,” the source told newsmen on Wednesday.

This bizarre sequence of events has left many who have been on the side of EFCC now questioning its logic and intentions.

Citizens have consequently been asking “no be juju be that?”

The Coordinator of The New Tribe, who has been one of the major critics of EFCC mode of operation from the onset of the allegation, Iretidola Ojekhoa, while reacting to the latest development aptly summed up the situation, saying that if the presence of a sitting governor intimidated the EFCC, why didn’t they ask Bello to come back another day without the governor? Why did they allow him to walk away after declaring him wanted?

This she said in response to the EFCC’s laughable excuse that Bello did not conform to their protocol, which includes reporting with a lawyer and not a governor or Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).

According to her, the EFCC’s response only adds to the confusion. 

Ojekhoa, in her reaction reminded the anti-graft agency that in the past, other high-profile individuals have been allowed to visit its office without adhering to these same protocols.

She recalled that when former Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State reported to the EFCC in 2018, he was accompanied by politicians and other dignitaries, but he was still taken into custody. Similarly, in 2014, when former Governor El-Rufai was invited by the Department of State Services (DSS), he was accompanied by other governors and officials, but he was still detained.

“Why did you allow him (who you declared wanted) to walk away? 

Why didn’t you just call him to come back, why set cameras up again to do another Abba Kyari style of catching criminals, when he himself as we now know is a criminal?” Ojekhoa queried.

She also pointed to a video made by a social commentator, Adeola Fayehun, where she also expressed disappointment over the manner of approach of the EFCC.

In the video, Fayehun was heard saying:

“Someone you declared wanted walked right into your den to present himself and you told him to go back. Then, rushed to the media to deny his presence before you and later launched an attack at the Kogi Government Lodge shooting sporadically. EFCC is yet to tell Nigerians what they really want from Yahaya Bello.”

No doubt, the EFCC’s double standard is clear for all to see. They are willing to bend the rules for some individuals while enforcing them rigidly for others. 

An agency tasked with fighting corruption like EFCC cannot afford to be so brazenly partisan and selective in its investigations?

The EFCC’s track record is replete with examples of botched investigations, fabricated charges, and politically motivated arrests which have yielded very little or no result. It is no wonder that many Nigerians have lost trust in the institution.

The people are tired of this charade. The citizens demand transparency and accountability from our institutions. Until then, Nigerians will continue to question the motives behind this move and demand justice for all parties involved.

It is imperative that the commission clears up this confusion and provides a clear explanation for its actions. Anything less will only serve to further undermine public trust in the fight against corruption. As it is, EFCC can be regarded as Economic and Financial Confused Commission.