Nigerian lawyers and human rights activists have reportedly spoken out against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over its alleged violation of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s fundamental rights.
According to further reports, the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Network (ACTN) described the EFCC’s actions as “intimidation, harassment, and clampdown” on Bello’s rights.
The group condemned the act at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday morning and expressed concern over the EFCC’s invasion of the Kogi State government lodge in Abuja in a “gestapo manner,” firing live ammunition, despite Bello voluntarily submitting himself to the commission earlier.
According to a statement co-signed by Barr. Real M. Dennis and Johnson Ochefu, its convener and co-convener, the allied forces disclosed that such an approach has no place in Nigerian law and demonstrates the EFCC’s disregard for the rights of Nigerians and defendants.
The group added that former Governor Yahaya Bello still has the right to be protected and respected by any law-abiding organization due to his past political position.
They also criticized the EFCC’s actions, claiming that the case against Bello is a grand conspiracy by political enemies to silence him and diminish his growing political influence.
“We are here as a coalition of about 300 reputable lawyers and human rights activists to address the press on the concerning developments regarding the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its case with the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, H.E. Alhaji Yahaya Bello,” the statement said.
“As a coalition that has keenly followed this case, we were pleased that Alhaji Yahaya Bello voluntarily submitted himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which had previously declared him wanted, to clear his name.
“However, we were perturbed that the EFCC, which had posted pictures of Bello on all their platforms as a wanted person and even notified Interpol to assist in bringing him to justice, allowed him to appear before them yesterday but refused to interrogate or arrest him as they deemed fit.
“According to his media office, they instead asked him to leave, saying they would get in touch with him, only to turn around and invade the Asokoro government lodge of Kogi State in a gestapo manner, firing live ammunition in an attempt to arrest someone who had been in their office earlier that same day.
“As informed Nigerians and human rights activists, we wish to condemn this intimidation, harassment, and clampdown on the fundamental rights of former Governor Yahaya Bello by the EFCC. This action of the EFCC has no place in our laws.”