Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello Accuses EFCC of Lying and Hounding Him Despite Court Order

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of lying and hounding him, despite court documents showing the EFCC's alleged disobedience of a court order in a case filed against him in the High Court of Justice, Kogi on February 8, 2024. "The EFCC claims to have invited Bello immediately after his tenure ended on January 27, 2024, but Bello's team challenges the EFCC to provide evidence of this invitation," said Michael Ohiare, an officer from Bello's media office.

According to official records and court documents, the EFCC amended a charge against Bello on February 5, 2023, prior to any alleged invitation, accusing him of conspiring to convert over 80 billion Naira of Kogi State funds in September 2015, even though he was not governor until January 2016. Bello filed a Fundamental Rights Enforcement action with the Kogi High Court on February 8, 2024, and the court granted an order restraining the EFCC from inviting, arresting or prosecuting him, which was served on the EFCC on February 12, 2024.

Despite the court order, the EFCC filed a new charge against Bello on March 6, 2024, in violation of the order. The EFCC also obtained an arrest warrant on April 17, 2024, which Bello's team claims was obtained in defiance of the court order and based on misleading statements. "The EFCC has only resorted to using intimidation and harassment against him, and he is not afraid of the anti-graft agency, as the rule of law must prevail," Bello asserted.

Why this matters: The case highlights the ongoing tensions between anti-corruption efforts and the rule of law in Nigeria. The outcome could have implications for how the EFCC pursues cases against high-profile political figures and the extent to which courts can restrain the agency's actions.

Bello's team accuses the EFCC of engaging in a campaign of intimidation and harassment, and urges the public to denounce the EFCC's allegedly unlawful actions until it undertakes a comprehensive reform of its practices. The EFCC has not provided the evidence of the invitation letter that Bello challenged them to produce. As the legal battle continues, the case underscores the importance of upholding court orders and due process in Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts.

Key Takeaways

• Yahaya Bello accuses EFCC of lying and hounding him despite court order restraining EFCC.
• EFCC amended charge against Bello before any alleged invitation, accusing him of fund conversion.
• EFCC filed new charge against Bello and obtained arrest warrant despite court order.
• Bello's team claims EFCC is engaging in intimidation and harassment, urges public action.
• Case highlights tensions between anti-corruption efforts and rule of law in Nigeria.