Vero: CHRICED calls Kogi for an emergency.
• Pro-Tinubu groups call on former government to clear name
• Youths reject EFCC over fraud charges
The Human Rights and Civic Education Resource Center (CHRICED) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Kogi State if Governor Usman Ododo refuses to extradite his predecessor Yahaya Bello on corruption charges.
Mr. Bello was accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of committing an 80.2 billion naira fraud, including using more than $700,000 in state funds to advance the school fees of his children.
CHRICED's executive director, Ibrahim Zikirlahi, said in a statement yesterday that he was “deeply concerned by the reprehensible conduct of Mr. Ododo,” who allegedly abused his official immunity to protect Mr. Bello from arrest. Stated. CHRICED, while appreciating the EFCC’s efforts so far in pursuing the case against Bello, condemned Mr. Ododo’s interference in preventing the former governor’s arrest, calling it “a violation of his oath of office.”
He added: “We also condemn the Kogi House of Assembly for hastily passing a resolution urging the EFCC to remove Bello from the wanted list. It highlights deep-rooted corruption and impunity in Kogi State, which is grappling with challenges such as the lack of education.
The group said the All Progressives Congress (APC), which came to power in 2015 on a promise to fight corruption, “is neck-deep in the same corruption it said it was ready to fight.” he claimed.
TINUBU Media Support Group (TMSG) has called on Mr. Bello to go to the EFCC and the courts to clear the allegations of financial irregularities during his tenure.
The group said this was not because the EFCC had erred in any way, but because it was carrying out its lawful duty by asking Mr. Bello to appear in court for questioning. TMSG, in a joint statement by Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okbanjo, said the confrontation between the former governor and the EFCC was unnecessary and called it an affront to the sanctity of the law and the integrity of the President. Stated. fight against corruption.
”
We have all the drama and subterfuge surrounding the EFCC's invitation to Bello, a senior member of the APC, and the bizarre attempt to politicize a mundane matter by the corruption fighting agency's request for Bello to meet with investigators. efforts have been closely monitored. .
“For us, Bello owes the state and the people he governs, if not himself, a duty to account in line with the law and global best practices. It should not be seen as such.”
Meanwhile, Okun youths in Kogi have condemned the alleged persecution of Bello by the EFCC. Addressing the press in Lokoja over the weekend, Okun Youth co-convener Emmanuel Ayo said the embezzlement allegations against Bello were baseless, adding that the anti-corruption agency had no substantiated evidence to prosecute the former governor. He added that he continues to take part in the media trial. The group praised Bello's achievements in Kogi and pledged to support him.
Source: guardian.ng