By ABAH ADAH, Abuja
A group of eminent Kogi State indigenes under the aegis of Kogi State Forum of Concerned Citizens (KSFCC) has called for immediate arrest and prosecution of the former governor, Yahaya Bello, over the allegations of embezzlement and other corrupt practices levelled against him to serve as deterrent to others.
The group which made this known during a press conference in Abuja on Monday expressed concern over what it described as slow pace in bringing the former governor to justice, even as it commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for rising to the occasion this time around to bring him and others to justice in response to the numerous petitions against him in line with the calls of all Kogites.
Speaking, the spokesman of the group and immediate past deputy governor of Kogi State, Elder Simon Achuba, disclosed that the group met on the 22nd April, 2024 to review issues concerning the state, region and the ongoing efforts of the EFCC to bring the former Governor of kogi state to justice and to answer allegations of embezzlement of over N84 Billion levelled against him and others.
The group reiterated its concern about the activities of the Kogi State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Bentrand Onuoha, who, according to it, has subjugated law and order in the state to the whims and caprices of Yahaya Bello. It is now glaring that he has reduced the State police command to the private army of Yahaya Bello.
Frowning at what it described as Yahaya Bello’s arrogant resistance to arrest and the actions of the officers of the Nigeria Police attached to the former governor by forcefully preventing the EFCC from performing her lawful duties, the group commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for proactive reaction to the unethical conducts of Bello’s security aides.
It therefore implored the IGP to carry out the same disciplinary measure he took on the erring security aides on the CP, Bethrand Onuoha, who, according to them, has been at the root of the misconduct of the police men in kogi state, urging that he be redeployed with immediate effect.
The Forum commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his war against corruption and abuse of office by Public officers and his doggedness in maintaining the sanctity of law and order irrespective of who is involved, especially as he does not allow himself to be hoodwinked.
It noted with dismay the manner in which Governor Ododo, ‘smuggled Yahaya Bello from is Benganzi street home, describing it as obstructing the cause of justice since the service to his master is more important to him than his oath of office’.
The Forum further drew the
attention of INEC to the case of double registration brought against Yahaya Bello of which INEC confirmed same to be true but could not prosecute him because of the immunity he enjoyed as governor that time but promised to prosecute him in accordance with the extant law at the end of his tenure.
It therefore urged that the INEC should commence the prosecution against former governor Bello without further delay as deterrent to other lawless and desperate politicians, even as it also called for a total overhaul of the state’s judicial system which, according to it, has become a weapon of oppression, and the state legislature which it said has become a mere rubber stamp in the hands of the state government.
“Today , the state judiciary that ought to be the beacon of hope for justice to everyone is at it’s knees begging for instruction from former Governor Bello and Governor Ododo to pervert justice. The same goes for the state legislature that is now a mere rubber stamp for executive rascality in the state. The concept of separation of powers and independent of the judiciary is alien to former Governor Bello and by extension, Governor Ododo.
“We call on National Judicial Council (NJC) to carefully look at the laws and rules that guide appointment of judicial officers to safe the nation from judicial catastrophy,” the group said.
Among its resolutions, the group urged that all efforts should be made to bring Yahaya Bello, whom it said is currently holed up in kogi State government house, to justice without recourse to sentiments.
It also urged immediate suspension by APC of Governor Ododo from membership of the party for “brazenly and sheepishly obstructing law enforcement agencies in carrying out their lawful duties and elevating his servitude to Yahaya Bello above his oath of office and the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria he swore to uphold”, calling on the kogi state house of assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor for the same offence.
In the same way, the group urged INEC to immediately institute legal proceedings against Yahaya Bello for double registration as voter in Abuja and Okene contrary to the provisions of extant laws.
In another development, the Forum paid glowing tribute to former Minister of Health, late Arc( Chief) G.Y.Aduku who died in Atlanta , Georgia, USA. early this year, urging the federal and state governments to name any national asset after him to immortalise him as a mark of honour for his selfless services to the nation and Kogi State.