A former spokesman for the defunct Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Bar Daniel Bwala, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to follow due process over the prosecution of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, saying there is urgent need for the commission’s reform.
Bwala stated this during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday.
His comment comes amid resolve by the EFCC boss, Ola Olukoyede, that the embattled former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, must be prosecuted.
Olukoyede also swore to follow the prosecution of Yahaya Bello to the logical conclusion, saying that those who obstructed the arrest of Bello would be brought to justice.
The EFCC has filed a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of about N80.2 billion against Bello.
But speaking on the development, Bwala said, “I don’t think, at this stage, anyone should doubt that the EFCC needs reform. In the interview he (Olukoyede) had on Tuesday, he shot himself with so many types of bullets, showing the world that it is a disproportionate application of their principles.
“One, he said he would give the governor a chance to come to his office through the back door for an interview, which nobody gets, and the law is that everyone is equal and nobody is above the law.
“Secondly, it also shows the zeal with which he (Yahaya Bello) must be arrested. There are similar cases before him (EFCC chairman), to which he has given a preliminary indictment, but the person has not been arrested.
“A good example is the suspended Humanitarian Minister, and there’s no drama around her. He even said it’s not about her but the system. In one breath, it’s about personality; in another, it’s not.”
Bwala also said the declaration of Bello wanted by the anti-graft commission was unnecessary.
According to him, EFCC has all the instruments at its disposal to arrest Bello and wondered why EFCC could not treat Bello the same way it did to former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha.
He said, “Unless EFCC and Yaya Bello are both doing simulation for a movie about the agency and former governors, the press statement captioned “wanted” is not necessary.
“You were at his residence to effect arrest- you failed to apply ACJA or better still what you did to Okorocha at his residence. You knew who came and whisked him away- you allowed that.
“Both him and the incumbent governor have security details from police and SSS who must report activities including the whereabouts of their VIPs to their commands- meaning his whereabouts is not hidden.
“You knew Police and SSS have surveillance instruments for geo-tracking and geo-locating- yet you failed to approach.”
