The Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that it is inhibited and restrained by the law, hence its inability to arrest former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, News About Nigeria reports.
The EFCC acting Zonal Director, Benin Zonal Command, Effa Okim, stated this during a familiarisation visit to the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Asaba, Delta State capital, on Wednesday.
He noted that the Crimes Commission is trying to follow due process of the law and that is why they have not been able to arrest and question Bello, who was placed on a watchlist weeks ago.
Recall that the ex-governor was accused of N80.2 billion in fraud, and following a failed attempt to arrest him and his repeated absence from court for his arraignment, the EFCC declared Bello wanted, while the Nigerian Immigration also placed the governor on a watchlist.
Okim also stated that the ex-governor is being shielded by the system and his colleagues, adding that the question of why Bello has not been arrested should be answered by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He noted that the shame of the inability to arrest him is not only on the Commission but also on the government.
“That politically exposed Yahaya Bello, whose crime has been traced to him by allegation, has been invited by the EFCC to come and explain, and for months he has been acting drama and we are all here wanting to ask questions! The shame is our own shame!
“Can’t we catch him? We can, but do we go all out to catch him? Do we need to do that when he has his masters? Can’t they call him and tell him, ‘You are disgracing Nigeria’? What are you telling the world? Tell him to go and explain himself like others have done.
“Where are the ministers? Where are Yahaya Bello’s colleagues, even in his hiding? So, Nigerians can’t tell him ‘This is not fair, go and report; they are not going to kill you’? But people are still eating and dining with him,” he lamented.
He urged the media to come out for the first time to harmonise, criticise that action, and forget about prosecution, but tell him to make himself available, after which the Commission will take it up from there.
According to him, the criminal justice system had been ridiculed by the actions of Bello.
