An association of lawyers, operating under the aegis of Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, has urged the Federal Government to call the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyade, to order, News About Nigeria reports.
The group made this call in a statement on Friday, following the prosecution process by the Crimes Commission on the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The group, through its Director-General, Samson Osondu Abugu, described the actions of the EFCC as a media trial, and faulted the ex-parte order of arrest on Bello, describing it as premature.
He noted that it was issued at a time when there was a subsisting order from another court of the same coordinate jurisdiction, adding that there was a need to accord every defendant the right of presumption of innocence as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
He condemned the threat of the anti-graft chairman, saying he would make sure he saw to the end of Bello’s case.
“The threat by Mr. Olukoyade that he must see to the end of Bello’s case or resign, smacks of a calculated attempt at mischief and persecution.
“The withdrawal of the appeal on the order restraining EFCC and its agents from arresting or harassing Yahaya Bello by the commission itself is another indictment of the approach of the agency.
“Well-meaning Nigerians are wondering why the EFCC, which was quite abreast of the order stopping it from arresting Yahaya Bello, will go ahead to lay siege on his house and illegally attempt to arrest him,” he stated.
He further noted that there is growing concern that the EFCC is being used by desperate politicians to smear the good reputation of Governor Yahaya Bello, and maintained that the commission must redeem its already battered image by towing the path of legality in carrying out its constitutional mandate.
He, therefore, urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately call the Chairman of EFCC to order before the latter brings his administration to public disrepute.
