….urges the anti-graft agency to pursue case to the end
By Our Correspondent
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, (Kogi Central) has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over efforts to apprehend and prosecute the immediate past governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
In her view, to avoid the impression that their actions against Bello are merely a witch hunt, she advised the EFCC to also investigate other corrupt public officials, just as she expressed surprise that Bello failed to attend to the EFCC’s invitation.
“I’d also like to take this moment to appreciate the diligence of the EFCC in handling the case so far. No Nigerian is above the law, and therefore the agency must see this case through to the end if they are to gain the trust of both Nigerians and the international community in the fight against corruption,” she said.
In a now-viral video, EFCC Chairman had claimed the former Kogi governor told him that a female senator (name withheld) allegedly gathered journalists to humiliate him anytime he was at the agency’s Abuja office for interrogation.
“I called Yahaya Bello, as immediate past governor, to come to my office to clear himself. I shouldn’t have done that. But he said because a certain senator had planted over 100 journalists in my office, he would not come.
“I told him that he would be allowed to use my private gate to give him a cover, but he said my men should come to his village to interrogate him,” Olukoyede was quoted as saying.
Natasha, in her reaction, put it to Bello why it is importance for him to respect Nigeria’s laws and constitution, flowing from his former position as the chief security officer of Kogi.
“I was surprised to hear that Yahaya Bello evaded the invitation from the EFCC, despite having served as Kogi’s former chief security officer. As a former governor, he should understand the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution.
“It’s a well-known fact that he who comes into equity must come with clean hands. As such, I advise him to honour the invitation and clear his name while he still has the chance.
