Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP/Kogi Central) has lauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over its probe on the former governor of Kogi Yahaya Bello.
The ex-governor is wanted by the EFCC over alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
In a press release on Friday by her chief press secretary Arogbonlo Israel, the lawmaker emphasised the need for the EFCC to investigate other corrupt public officials to avoid the impression that their actions against Bello are merely a witch-hunt.
She expressed surprise at Bello’s excuse for not honouring the EFCC’s invitation.
EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede said at a press conference earlier in the week that Bello told him he could not honour the invitation because a female senator (name withheld) had allegedly gathered journalists at the commission’s headquarters to humiliate him.
“I called Yahaya Bello, as a serving 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 cover, but he said my men should come to his village to interrogate him,” Olukoyede was quoted as saying.
Yahaya Bello should stop running and get a good lawyer — Bayo Onanuga
In her statement, Akpoti-Uduaghan reminded Bello of the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution, given his former position as the chief security officer of Kogi.
She said, “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.
“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.”
