We seek to exploit the instrumentality of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary to create and maintain an egalitarian democratic society where the dignity of every citizen and rights are guaranteed according to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The worrisome development emanating from the stables of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which in a gestapo styled operation reminiscent of the dark days of military regime stormed and barricaded the residence of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello in a brazen attempt to arrest him without a warrant under a bogus claim of misappropriation of state funds and money laundering, is a matter of concern to every true lover of democracy and social justice world over.
This appalling and morally reprehensible action of the EFCC, which occurred on the 17th of April, 2024, has made our dear nation Nigeria a laughing stock among the comity of nations. Reinforcing this aberration is the call by EFCC spokesman to involve the military in arresting a person who has not been served any summon or convicted by any competent court. This call is akin to a ‘coup’ and denigration of our nascent democracy.
The flagrant disregard for constituted authority and our judiciary by the EFCC should not be a matter to be treated with levity. The High Court in Kogi State on the 9th of February, 2024, granted an interim injunction restraining the EFCC from “continuing to harass, threaten to arrest, detain, prosecute” Yahaya Bello, his former appointees, and his staff or family members pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating motion for the enforcement of his fundamental rights.
This said order was duly served on the EFCC on the 12th of February, 2024, and on the 26th of February the EFCC filed an appeal (No. CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission vs Alhaji Yahaya Bello) against the said order to the Court of Appeal, Abuja division. The appeal was accompanied by a motion for a stay of execution of the order of the high court, which the court of appeal adjourned for hearing till the 23rd of April, 2024.
The EFCC is deliberately trying to set our judiciary on a collision course in an inordinate attempt to subvert the course of justice and undermine the efficacy of our judicial system. This effrontery and brigandine approach must be nipped in the bud to save our democratic values. To us, the Middle-Belt Forum for Good Governance sees this act as purely media trial and complete abuse of the rule of law.
*PRAYERS*
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OPINION
Yahaya Bello: Open Letter To President Bola Tinubu
By Parrot Nigeria On Apr 25, 2024 0
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We seek to exploit the instrumentality of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary to create and maintain an egalitarian democratic society where the dignity of every citizen and rights are guaranteed according to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The worrisome development emanating from the stables of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which in a gestapo styled operation reminiscent of the dark days of military regime stormed and barricaded the residence of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello in a brazen attempt to arrest him without a warrant under a bogus claim of misappropriation of state funds and money laundering, is a matter of concern to every true lover of democracy and social justice world over.
This appalling and morally reprehensible action of the EFCC, which occurred on the 17th of April, 2024, has made our dear nation Nigeria a laughing stock among the comity of nations. Reinforcing this aberration is the call by EFCC spokesman to involve the military in arresting a person who has not been served any summon or convicted by any competent court. This call is akin to a ‘coup’ and denigration of our nascent democracy.
The flagrant disregard for constituted authority and our judiciary by the EFCC should not be a matter to be treated with levity. The High Court in Kogi State on the 9th of February, 2024, granted an interim injunction restraining the EFCC from “continuing to harass, threaten to arrest, detain, prosecute” Yahaya Bello, his former appointees, and his staff or family members pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating motion for the enforcement of his fundamental rights.
This said order was duly served on the EFCC on the 12th of February, 2024, and on the 26th of February the EFCC filed an appeal (No. CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission vs Alhaji Yahaya Bello) against the said order to the Court of Appeal, Abuja division. The appeal was accompanied by a motion for a stay of execution of the order of the high court, which the court of appeal adjourned for hearing till the 23rd of April, 2024.
The EFCC is deliberately trying to set our judiciary on a collision course in an inordinate attempt to subvert the course of justice and undermine the efficacy of our judicial system. This effrontery and brigandine approach must be nipped in the bud to save our democratic values. To us, the Middle-Belt Forum for Good Governance sees this act as purely media trial and complete abuse of the rule of law.
*PRAYERS*
Our prayers are that Your Excellency, who is a lover of democracy and paid with sweat and blood during the hey days of the despotic military regime to see Nigeria transition to a fully democratic entity and for the citizens to benefit of same, must call the EFCC to order, to desist from any fifth column tactics that will undermine our democratic solidarity.
The EFCC, which is itself a creation of law, must not subvert the course of justice if they indeed have any case against the former governor. They must NOT resort to abusing the judicial process and trampling on the fundamental human rights of the former governor or any citizen of Nigeria by disobedience of the judiciary and the rule of law.
We are fully supportive of the EFCC to investigate and try Yahaya Bello, but rule of law must be obeyed. The EFCC in the past broke into the premises of former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha in a manner that embarrassed the image of the nation. A former governor with traceable address should be treated with decorum devoid of abuse of rule of law. In similar manner, the former Kogi governor woke up to meet his family residence cordoned by heavily armed security men with characteristics of personnel set to arrest terrorists or militants. This approach is unreasonable and should be completely eradicated from the operations of the EFCC if they want to remain relevant in the fight against corruption.
While we pray the EFCC does not make itself a pariah of democracy, it is worthy of note that the onus rests squarely on the courts to determine whether or not the EFCC is acting in breach of a subsisting order or otherwise.
Due process and rule of law must be obeyed to ensure the continuity of our enviable democracy and avoid sliding back to the dark abyss of military dictatorship and abuse of the judicial process.
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