The Forum of Amalgamated Unions of Concerned Kogi Citizens has described the actions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the ongoing face-off with the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as “trial by mischief makers”
The forum, a coalition of civil society organizations, associations, and youth groups, has accused the anti-graft agency of engaging in politically motivated actions against former Governor Bello, citing his rise to political prominence as the reason for the scrutiny.
Speaking at a press conference held in Lokoja on Monday, the forum’s spokesperson David Ehimony, said the recent incident that occurred on September 18, 2024, when EFCC deployed armed personnel to the Kogi governor’s lodge in Asokoro and engaging in what they called a “night siege”, in a bid to arrest Bello despite Bello having earlier honored an invitation to the EFCC office was embarrassing.
Mr Ehimony who is also the Chairman, Nigerian Middle-Belt Forum, expressed deep concerns over the alleged witch-hunt, stating that Bello’s rise to power without a political godfather and his subsequent tenure as governor may have upset certain interests.
He lamented that, the EFCC’s actions are part of a larger scheme aimed at undermining the former governor’s legacy and his role in Kogi State’s political landscape.
He vowed to utilize the state’s strategic importance within Nigeria to amplify their response to the perceived injustices, saying Kogi State is central in Nigeria’s geopolitical framework, and we will leverage this strategic position to ensure that our voices are heard, and that no political vendetta will go unchallenged,”
Detailing the history of allegations and EFCC’s Errors, the group narrated a series of incidents involving the EFCC, starting with the 2021 claim that N20 billion meant for Kogi workers had been diverted. They noted that both Sterling Bank and the Kogi State Government refuted these allegations, and the case was eventually withdrawn.
“They also stressed what they called the EFCC’s “blunder” in accusing Bello of misappropriating N80 billion in September 2015, a time before he assumed office as governor. “The charge was later amended, but the forum believes the EFCC’s actions were driven by ulterior motives”, he added.
The forum further accused the EFCC of practicing selective justice, comparing Bello’s case to those of other former governors, including Nyesome Wike and Bello Matawalle, who were not pursued as aggressively despite facing similar allegations. They emphasized that Kogi Governor, Usman Ododo has never accused Bello of diverting state funds, yet the EFCC continues to target him.
The forum appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and called for a fair and professional approach to Bello’s prosecution warning that the people of Kogi state might be forced to make a statement.
