Civil society organisations have criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its approach in pursuing former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, and have urged the commission to comply with court orders.
The criticism came after the EFCC declared Bello wanted for alleged money laundering involving N80.2 billion. The Nigerian Immigration Service had placed him on their watch list, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, withdrew all police officers attached to him.
Over 120 civil society organisations staged a protest in Lagos, condemning the Federal Government’s actions in the ongoing dispute between the EFCC and Bello. The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership chairman, Debo Adeniran, and other activists like Sina Loremikan, Declan Ihekhaire, Gbenga Soloki, and Ochiaga Ohaneze, led the press conference.
Adeniran highlighted that the EFCC did not send an invitation to Bello and criticized the government for undermining judicial processes. He warned that continued disregard for the rule of law could lead to a larger pro-democracy mobilization. Gbenga Soloki echoed these sentiments, questioning the Federal Government’s methods in a civil case involving a citizen.
