Yahaya Bello: EFCC leadership is grossly incompetent – CUPP

***Calls for sack of Olukoyede

The Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, saying the anti-graft agency, in its current state, is “grossly incompetent”.

The CUPP said in a statement on Tuesday that there was no excuse valid enough for committing those two errors of judgment by the EFCC on the day the former governor reportedly submitted himself to the Commission.

The statement was signed on behalf of the Coalition by 10 members of its Media, Strategy, Steering, Financial Contact and Mobilisation Committees and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

The CUPP statement reads: “It is with utmost disappointment that the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, has viewed the ongoing drama between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

“We are aware that there has been some inexplicable back-and-forth between the EFCC and the former Governor for some months now, which has generated considerable public interest across Nigeria. Not a few Nigerians have been eager to see the day that the former Governor would be brought in to defend the allegations of humongous corruption allegations leveled against him by the antigraft agency.

“The Commission went all out to declare him wanted and put him on an international watchlist with the assistance of the INTERPOL that anywhere he was found he was to be promptly arrested.

“It is quite intriguing that the same man you have been hunting for, walked into your headquarters in Abuja and you let him walk away without as much as interrogating him under the pretext of some extremely ridiculous and flimsy excuses, one of which was that he came with a sitting Governor among others.

“A smart and intelligent head of a security agency like the EFCC would have tactically taken the former Governor into custody without much ado. But, clearly, the current leadership of the EFCC is totally clueless about the masterful art of intelligent policing. An agency like the EFCC is way above his training as a legal practitioner.

“When the current chairman of the EFCC was appointed, many legal pundits pointed out that the office of EFCC’s chairman should legally be occupied by a serving or retired senior police or any security agency officer. All those observations fell on the government’s deaf ears. The result has been the reversal of the gains made in the past on the anticorruption efforts of successive governments since the current leadership of the EFCC took office.

“If you couldn’t arrest the former Governor in the presence of his predecessor, why send armed operatives to the official abode of the same sitting Governor to start shooting in the middle of the night under the guise of you wanting to effect the arrest of someone who had earlier made himself available to you. That incident could have ended fatally with serious consequences for our democracy. It would have overheated the polity beyond control.

“There is no excuse valid enough in the world for committing those two errors of judgment by the EFCC. First, you let the man you declared wanted get away from your premises under a very suspicious gameplan.

“Secondly, you later mobilized at night to go and effect arrest of the same man. EFCC needs to come out and tell Nigerians what they are hiding and their real interest and intentions on this matter.

“Everything looks suspect on this matter. Since Mr Olukoyede took over as EFCC chairman, it has been one controversy or the other. If it is not about EFCC operatives committing gross human rights abuses against Nigerians, it would be arrogant disrespect for due processes and Court orders.

“With this kind of leadership, the EFCC will remain handicapped to effectively fight corruption. It is in this regard that we sincerely feel that, if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is truly desirous of fighting corruption in the country, the current EFCC Chairman should be sacked immediately and a real professional senior security officer from any of the real security agencies be appointed as replacement to avoid this type of local and international embarrassments that this chairman has brought to the current administration and the country at large.

“His is a case of a square peg in a round hole. The geometry can never align.

What happened two days ago makes the insinuation that the former governor is being persecuted now believable, rightly or wrongly. These people should stop playing politics with our collective sensibilities.
Enough is enough!”

Signatories to the statement include Barrister Emeka Igwe, Alhaji Hamisu Santuraki, Prince Frank Ukonga, Prof. Godswill Nnaji, Alhaji Takai Adamu, Amb. Abah Lewis, Chief Abayomi Runsewe, Mrs. Grace Ishaku, Mrs. Gift Yusuf and Mayor Japhet Anyanwu.

Recognizing Eruku City’s Trailblazing Leaders: Professor Taye Obateru (Bobagunwa), Dr. Kennie Obateru (Otunba), and Engr. Banjo Omotinugbon on Their Significant Birthdays
By Oluwaseun Fabiyi

I offer my genuine and heartfelt birthday felicitations to these esteemed visionary leaders.

The 24th of September serves as a poignant reminder of your distinguished records, sirs, leading me to extol the virtues of Prof. Taye Obateru, Dr. Kennie Obateru, and Engr. Banjo Omotinugbon, whose enduring impact in academia and leadership spans multiple years.

Dr. Kennie Obateru, the Otunba of Eruku City, has demonstrated exceptional expertise in his PR roles, notably as the former NNPC Spokesman. Similarly, Professor Taye Obateru, the Bobagunwa of Eruku City, a distinguished mass communications lecturer at Unijos, has made significant contributions, leaving a lasting impact on the industry through visionary leadership and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

As natives of ErukuCity in Ekiti Local Government, Kwara State, the three birthday celebrants embody success and innovation, building a strong foundation for their remarkable careers, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to professional growth and excellence.

The professional journeys of Professor Taye Obateru, Dr. Kennie Obateru, and Engineer Banjo Omotinugbon are characterized by notable achievements and milestones, showcasing their exceptional capabilities as business leaders.

Undoubtedly, both have showcased their expertise within our community and Kwara at large through their outstanding contributions.

Beyond their distinguished professional attainments, Professor Taye Obateru, Dr. Kennie Obateru, and Engineer Banjo Omotinugbon exhibit profound commitment to positively impacting their community. Their personal fulfillment as devoted husbands and fathers underscores a leadership approach defined by integrity, empathy, and tireless excellence.

Together, they serve as a paradigm of excellence in academia and business leadership, exemplified by a career marked by innovation, integrity, and dedication to societal advancement.

My heartfelt prayer is that the Lord God grants you both a long, healthy life, accompanied by prosperity. I extend my warmest congratulations to you both.

Lagos-based journalist Oluwaseun Fabiyi pens a compelling piece

FEATURE: How Long Will Yahaya Bello Continue With This Lawless Act?

By Richards Ibe

The ex-Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who handed over to the current governor of the state, Usman Ododo in January this year after his two terms of four-years-tenure, has consistently been in the news in the past eight months.

It has been from one drama to the other bordering on his stewardship and how he handled the affairs of the state under his tenure.

Bello, who was alleged to have defrauded the state to the tune of N84 billion during his tenure, have done everything in and out of the books to avoid his trial spearheaded by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

On Thursday, March 14, 2024, the EFCC had dragged the former governor before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja for alleged N84 billion money laundering offences, alongside his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman and Abdulsalam Hudu.

The Anti-graft agency was prosecuting the quartet on an amended 17-count charge of money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of fund to tune of N84, 062,406,089.88 (Eighty-four Billion, Sixty-two Million, Four Hundred and Six Thousand, Eighty-nine Naira, Eighty-eight Kobo).

To make way for Yahaya Bello’s inclusion in the trial, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court of an application before it for the amendment of the charges against the defendants, dated February 5, 2024, and filed the same day.

After prayers that the amended charges be read to the defendants for them to take their pleas, the judge had granted the prayer, overruling objections from A.M Aliyu SAN, and Olusegun Joolawo SAN, counsels to Ali Bello and Suleiman, first and second defendants.

Count one of the charges had read: “That you, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, Yahaya Adoza Bello (still at large) and Abdulsalam Hudu (still at large), sometime in September, 2015 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80,246,470,089.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty-six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Eighty-nine Naira, Eighty-eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(b) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.”

Also distancing itself from the proceeds of fraud, the American International School, Abuja had in April 2024 refunded to the EFCC the sum of $760,000 paid by Yahaya Bello as advanced school fees for his children at the tail end of his administration as governor of Kogi State.

Bello was alleged to have paid $720,000 in advance as fees for five of his children in Grade Levels 2 to 8 in the school from the coffers of the Kogi State Government.

Confirming the development in April, the EFCC Spokesman, Dele Oyewale, had declared “The school has refunded the entire $760, 000 to the EFCC’s recovery account,”

Going into hiding, Yahaya Bello had severally refused to appear in court in person to clear the allegations raised against him.

Some eminent Nigerians had pleaded with Yahaya Bello to come out and answer the charges against him and that he should not be giving former governors bad name.

One of those who gave the advice was the immediate-past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, on Sunday, 28th of April 2024.

Speaking at a Redeemed Christian Church of God in Makurdi, Benue State during the thanksgiving service organised by his aides for his 63rd birthday celebration, Ortom advised Bello to come out of hiding and answer his case with the EFCC.

Ortom had said that Yahaya Bello’s continued hiding would bring disgrace to former governors across the country.

“I want to use this opportunity to advise my younger brother and friend, Governor Yahaya Bello, not to disgrace former governors.

“You don’t need to hide. You don’t need to resist arrest or anything. Go there and respond. The EFCC (officials) are human beings. If they are making inquiries, the laws are there.

“I have tried to get him on the phone, but I could not. I have tried those around him but I could not, so I want this to be noted. Wherever he is, if he can hear me, thank God the press is here, he should come out.” Ortom had stated.

Even though immunity no longer covers the ex-Governor, he has reportedly been assisted to evade arrest by his successor, Kogi State Governor Ododo, presently enjoying immunity as the sitting governor of the North Central state.

To ensure that justice is served, some eminent Nigerians have also called on Governor Ododo to hand over Yahaya Bello to the law for prosecution.

A political activist, Usman Okai Austin had cautioned Governor Ododo against being hypocritical and obstructing anti-graft war.

He had charged Ododo to demonstrate his dedication to fighting corruption by taking concrete steps to hand over Yahaya Bello to the EFCC for investigation.

In a statement, Okai had also questioned Ododo’s commitment to fighting corruption, particularly in light of allegations that he is protecting Bello.

He criticized the enacted Kogi State anti-corruption Bill under Ododo, as he accused Ododo of hypocrisy and labeled the legislation as a mockery of the entire anti-corruption system.

Okai cited and faulted an occasion when Ododo was reportedly seen “accompanying Bello to a Sallah celebration in Okene, despite Bello’s alleged involvement in corrupt activities.

“This perceived complicity has raised concerns about the governor’s true intentions in the fight against corruption and has prompted calls for him to take decisive action to uphold the rule of law.

“As a prominent figure in Kogi State politics, it is imperative that governor Ododo addresses these concerns and takes concrete steps to demonstrate his commitment to combating corruption and promoting good governance in Kogi State.

“Despite his declaration to ‘attack corrupt practices and make it impossible for corruption to thrive,’ his actions suggest otherwise.

“To genuinely demonstrate his dedication to fighting corruption, Governor Ododo must take concrete steps, such as handing Yahaya Bello over to the EFCC for investigation.

“Until then, his actions will be seen as hypocritical and obstructing the anti-corruption war.

“We urge Governor Ododo to practice what he preaches and take meaningful action against corruption by handing over the wanted Bello to the EFCC.”

A popular activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju also charged Governor Ododo to hand over his predecessor, Yahaya Bello to the EFCC for trial.

“Ododo, the impunity-loving governor of Kogi State should hand over Yahaya Bello to the EFCC to face trial for all his corrupt acts.” Adeyanju wrote on his Facebook page.

While Ododo has failed to heed the advice, the anti-graft agency has been seeking ways to bring Yahaya Bello to justice.

In an attempt to bring the ex-Governor to justice, some EFCC operatives had on Wednesday 17th of April 2024 stormed Yahaya Bello’s Abuja home at Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.

Ododo had reportedly assisted in whisking away Bello in his official car from the scene to evade the arrest.

Kicking against the EFCC move, the ex-governor’s media office, in a statement, had claimed that the presence of the operatives in Bello’s residence negated the order of injunction granted on February 9, 2024, by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division, in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Yahaya Bello v. EFCC, restraining the commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting him, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.

Despite Yahaya Bello been declared wanted and going into hiding for several months, especially after the sting operation in his Abuja home, he is reported to be perpetually hanging around his successor Ododo to evade arrest.

On Wednesday September 18th 2024, Yahaya Bello came out of hiding for months and visited the EFCC office in the company of Ododo.

At the EFCC office, he was said to have snapped pictures with security guards, and to create the impression that he has turned himself in to the anti-graft agency.

But the EFCC was said to have been hindered from arresting Yahaya Bello as Ododo’s governorship immunity prevented the operatives from taking further action.

Doing otherwise, would have resulted in confrontation between the security personnel protecting the governor and the anti-graft agency, which may lead to gun duel and lost of lives.

Speaking on the latest development on Wednesday, EFCC officials said Ododo helped Bello to escape again just like in April.

One of the officials said, “Yahaya Bello has not been arrested. The Kogi State governor prevented operatives from doing their work yesterday just like he did the other time. He took him away and our men could not do anything because of the immunity he (Ododo) is enjoying.”

In another attempt to get Bello to answer the charges against him, EFCC operatives again on the same night of Wednesday September 18th 2024 stormed the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja.

Yahaya Bello, again was reported to have evaded arrest by EFCC operatives with the assistance of his successor, Governor Ododo, leveraging on the immunity being enjoyed by Ododo as a sitting governor.

Apart from Ododo’s immunity covering, which Yahaya Bello has been hiding under in the past eight months, some questions are also now on the lips of some well-meaning Nigerians.

Topmost of these questions is if Yahaya Bello is also getting support and protection from another influencial personality in the Presidency, who has security background.

With these dodging of the law going on for months, it is hightime the fight against corruption in the country is really allowed to thrive.

As a matter of urgency, Yahaya Bello should immediately turn himself in for the N84 billion money laundering trial.

He should have nothing to fear if his hands are clean and has served the people of Kogi State to the best of his ability for eight years.

Even though Bello played a great role in Ododo’s emergence as the governor of Kogi State, Ododo should now start concentrating on serving the good people of Kogi State as he has sworn to do and allow Bello to carry his cross and face the course of the law.

Any other influential person backing Yahaya Bello in the Presidency, irrespective of whatever he has gained from Bello in the past, should also stop forthwith in order not to soil the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who didn’t shy away from suspending a Minister linked to corruption.