The former governor of Kogi State is being pursued by the anti-corruption agency for an alleged embezzlement of 80.2 billion naira.
On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, certain youths in Kogi State expressed their opposition to the intended apprehension of ex-governor Yahaya Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Under the banners of the Coalition of Civil Society for Democracy and Africa Youths Coalition for Justice, these youths congregated, causing a blockade on the Lokoja-Abuja Road and leading to traffic congestion on the federal highway.
Their banners bore messages such as “President Tinubu, urge EFCC to exercise restraint,” “EFCC, desist from persecution,” and “Yahaya Bello remains a law-abiding citizen.”
Speaking to reporters in Lokoja, Richard Otitoleke, the organizer of the coalition, emphasized their presence in support of upholding the principles of legal governance and democratic norms.
He advocated for prudence and adherence to legal principles in Bello’s legal proceedings, underscoring the significance of the rule of law in democratic societies. Furthermore, he highlighted the existence of a court injunction—a provisional restraining order issued by a competent court—explicitly instructing against the summoning, arrest, or prosecution of the former governor pending the resolution of his human rights matter.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, examine the activities of the EFCC to ensure that their operations are professional in accordance to the extant law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
