The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has again insisted that the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello must have his day in Court.
In a statement made public on Wednesday, the Commission described attempts by Bello to throw spanners into the works of his ongoing trial through what was described as ‘irresponsible’ and ‘utterly rascally efforts’ which will only end up in vain.
The Anti-graft agency explained that the appropriate place of Yahaya Bello’s surrender would be before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, before whom his legal team had undertaken to produce him to answer to the 18-count charges of money laundering preferred against him by the Commission.
The EFCC advised the former governor to be more interested in clearing his name rather than playing the victim and crying persecution, where none exists and to even insinuate that he was the target of a phantom assassination attempt because operatives of the Commission made efforts to effect his arrest at the Kogi State Governor’s Lodge.
The Commission which explains that it is the first time in its more than two decades of existence that such a jejune claim would be made stresses that such attempt is no more than scaremongering, intended to scandalise the EFCC.
The Anti-graft Agency says it is eager to engage Yahaya Bello in the Courtroom where avalanche of evidence so painstakingly assembled can be presented and arguments marshalled for justice to be served to all parties involved in the saga adding that the true test of Yahaya Bello’s willingness to abide by the law in the criminal proceedings instituted against him at the Federal High Court Abuja is to present himself in obedience to the order of Justice Nwite.
It says his presence in court is the only way the former governor will convince Nigerians that his much publicized submission to the EFCC on September 18, was not a stunt
The Commission says that till date, Bello is yet to take his plea in the alleged N80.2billion money laundering charge preferred against him before Justice Nwite.
The Statement further explains that the incident of September 18, 2024 was an orchestrated antics of Yahaya Bello to surrender himself to the EFCC, having denied being invited by the Commission and operating underground as a fugitive for several months, expectedly raised concerns and curiosity of many Nigerians who had been waiting frantically for his arrest and trial.
Editor Oloyede Oworu
