Yahaya Bello: EFCC Boss A Failure, Should Be Sacked – Group

•Says Olukoye No Longer Acting In Public Interest

 

A socio political group, The Campaign for Democracy, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately dismiss Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), following a controversial incident involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

The civil society organization criticized Olukoyede’s leadership, citing his failure to apprehend Bello during a recent visit to the EFCC headquarters, despite the former governor being on the EFCC’s watchlist for alleged money laundering and corruption totalling N80.2 billion.

Bello, who had been evading arrest, finally appeared at the EFCC office on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, accompanied by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, and other political figures.

According to Comrade Ifeanyi Odili, President of the Campaign for Democracy, it was “inconceivable” that a wanted man could walk into the EFCC office, wait for hours, and leave without being questioned or detained. Instead, the EFCC issued a statement declaring that Bello was still a wanted man, a move Odili described as “laughable” and an indication of the EFCC’s inefficiency.

Odili further criticized the EFCC’s reasoning that they could not arrest Bello because he was accompanied by a sitting governor.

“This excuse is the main reason Olukoyede should be sacked. In saner climes, the EFCC boss would have been fired immediately for such negligence,” he said.

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The Campaign for Democracy also condemned the EFCC’s handling of the situation, stating that the incident damaged Nigeria’s image and democratic principles.

The pressure on the EFCC heightened after Yahaya Bello’s interrogation, with sources revealing that his appearance was part of a negotiation between his camp and President Tinubu’s administration, aimed at demonstrating the president’s commitment to the fight against corruption.

Despite Bello’s long-standing defiance of EFCC summons, his media office stated that he had consulted his family, legal team, and political allies before deciding to honour the invitation, adding that he has “nothing to hide.”

The EFCC had previously obtained a warrant for Bello’s arrest, but his successor, Governor Ododo, intervened to prevent the arrest during a dramatic scene at Bello’s Abuja residence.

Bello faces a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering, with his trial set to continue on September 25. Although the EFCC leadership has expressed eagerness to prosecute Bello, there are indications that significant pressure is being applied for his release.

Allegations have surfaced that Bello had been hiding at the Kogi State liaison office in Abuja to evade arrest before finally negotiating his appearance with Tinubu’s camp.

The Campaign for Democracy and other critics argue that the EFCC’s inability to act decisively against Bello undermines its credibility.

They called for Olukoyede’s immediate dismissal, claiming that his actions suggest ulterior motives beyond the fight against corruption.

“With the turn of events, it seems clear that the EFCC is no longer acting in the public interest,” Odili remarked.