Yahaya Bello: Lawyers task EFCC on due process

• Berate Media Trial of Ex-Governor

Some legal practitioners have bemoaned what they described as the media trial of the immediate-past Governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Under the auspices of the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, the lawyers said the attempted arrest of Bello was illegal against a subsisting court order.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, the Director-General of the group, Barrister Samson Osondu Abugu lamented that the constitutional rights of the former governor have been disrespected as he still remains innocent until proven otherwise.

Abugu further slammed the EFCC boss Olanipekun Olukoyade over unguarded remarks about Yahaya Bello and urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene.

“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,” he said.

“We urge Mr. President, who is currently enjoying the goodwill of the overwhelming majority of Nigerians to immediately call the Chairman of EFCC to order before the latter brings his administration to public disrepute.

“The withdrawal of the appeal on the order restraining EFCC and its agents from arresting it 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 with the order stopping it from arresting Yahaya Bello will go ahead to lay siege on his house and illegally attempt to arrest him?

“It is also clear that the EFCC’s own admission that it filed the appeal against the order out of time shows flagrant disregard to the hallowed chambers of justice.

“A commission that is created by law to enforce the law cannot flagrantly disregard an order of court in such a manner.

“From the foregoing, it is difficult to discard the growing concern of Nigerians that the EFCC is being used by desperate politicians to smear the good reputation of Governor Yahaya Bello.

“The commission must redeem its already battered image by towing the path of legality in carrying out its constitutional mandate. We will no longer accept any disregard and breach of court orders by the commission.

“The commission must take deliberate steps to ensure that it does not breach any laws in its further attempts to prosecute Yahaya Bello.”