Stop Defamatory Speeches Against Ex-Gov Bello, CSOs Tell EFCC

A coalition of about 87 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop making unfounded and defamatory claims against the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, saying such actions were defamatory and a violation of his human rights.

The activists, under the umbrella of Movement for Transparency & Accountability (MTA), also said EFCC, which it accused of fraternising with known political figures in Kogi State, had allegedly engaged in acts capable of poisoning the minds of the general public against Bello, who had not been found guilty of any offence before any court of competent jurisdiction.

Addressing a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the Convener of MTA, Chinedu Wisdom Ohalete, wondered why the EFCC, a supposed apolitical body would openly allow itself to be used to malign and impugn on the character of the former governor in an unfair and unjust manner.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is patently disturbing that leaders of a supposed unbiased anti-corruption agency have been openly seen romanticising with known political figures in Kogi, the same individuals that have been renting crowds to protest against Yahaya Bello and Kogi State government over their failure at the polls. As if this is not enough, top leadership of EFCC has been jumping around every media house in this country, making defamatory utterances against Bello, whose case is still before a court of competent jurisdiction.

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“Of utmost concern to us is that this deliberate instigation against Yahaya Bello violates his rights to live as his life has daily come under threat. The false narratives EFCC has continued to sell, just to pollute public opinion against Bello has exposed him to danger, threatening even the ongoing court process,” the activists claimed.

They expressed concern that at a time when Nigeria’s global ranking in human rights was at a disturbing low, the EFCC had continued to operate as if the country is a nation without law, calling for an end to recklessness and impunity.

The Coalition, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu to call the leadership of the EFCC to order, urging that they should rather focus on their case against Bello, which is already in court, instead of engaging in media trial that would be counter-productive.

According to them, treating Bello like a criminal that he has not been established to be and shielding other APC stalwarts, who are embedded in worse corruption allegations and have been disrespecting the courts, is nothing but deep persecution.

The Coalition, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu to call the leadership of the EFCC to order, urging that they should rather focus on their case against Bello, already in court, instead of engaging in media trial that would be counter-productive.

According to them, treating Bello like a criminal that he has not been established to be and shielding other ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwarts, who are embedded in worse corruption allegations and have been disrespecting the courts, was nothing but sheer persecution.