By Yekini Jimoh
The immediate past Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mathew Kolawole has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to, without delay, apologise to former Gov. Yahaya Bello and the entire people of the State.
The former Speaker urged the EFCC to be professional in the discharge of its duties, particularly as it concerns former Gov Yahaya Bello, pointing out that its recent action against the former Governor was one incompetence to many.
The former Speaker called for the overhaul of the modus oprandi of the EFCC, said its action in the last 48 hours has proven a case of political witch hunt against the former Governor.
The former Speaker called on the Chairman, to come to equity with clean hands to clear the air as to what is its interest on the Former Gov Yahaya Bello’s issue, said the commission has displayed incompetence and lack of capacity in the discharge of its duties.
He said rather than resort to gestapo method of carrying out it operation as well as media embarrassment against Alhaji Yahaya Bello, called on the President and the entire country to be aware that there is much to the EFCC Yahaya Bello saga than meets the eye.
According to the former Speaker, “the Commission has demonstrated lack of capacity and professionalism in the performance of his duties.
“It is a clear case of lack of capacity and incompetence that the agency failed to interrogate the former governor who the agency had declared wanted for a few months when he presented himself”.
He lamented that for Yahaya Bello submitting himself, having exhausted his fundamental human rights in the Courts willingly, “it was wrong for the EFCC to have behaved in the manner in which it acted”.
Recall that the former governor voluntarily appeared in the office of the EFCC to clear his name from the corruption charges levelled against him by the anti-graft agency.
The Former Speaker said the Governor’s action showed patriotism on one hand and the need not to overheat the security situation on the other, but lamented that the EFCC displayed incompetence.
He added that, ” Gov. Ododo’s decision to go with the former Governor Yahaya Bello to the EFCC was borne out of his patriotic zeal to ensure that law enforcement agencies are respected and supported to do their job, especially as the former Governor also expressed his readiness to honour the invitation of the Anti Graft Agency as a leader who has respect for constituted institutions”.
The former Speaker commended the Kogi State Governor for leaving the Government Lodge when EFCC officials started shooting sporadically, said the decision was commendable as it helped to avert a confrontation between the Governor’s security operatives which could have led to bloodshed.
“Governor Ododo is a perfect gentleman who is committed to peace and security.
“He sees the Renewed Hope Administration as his own administration and has remained loyal and committed to Mr President.
“He believes that Mr President is the best for Nigeria at a time like this when tough decisions are needed to salvage our nation and make it truly prosperous”.
