The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has called on the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to follow the path of decency and submit himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Mr Bello is being investigated by the anti-graft agency over alleged N80bn fraud.
Recall that in attempts to arrest Mr Bello ahead of his arraignment in court on Thursday, the EFCC laid siege to his Abuja residence for hours.
But Mr Bello eventually escaped arrest after Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo allegedly smuggled him out of his residence.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday, Mr Fagbemi described the action of Mr Ododo, who used his immunity to prevent the ex-governor’s arrest on Wednesday, as ‘disquieting’.
According to him, embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put Nigeria in bad light before the rest of the world is not the way to go.
The statement read: “The bizarre drama confronting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the course of its efforts to perform its statutory duty has come to my notice [Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice] as a matter of very grave concern.
“It is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigation into any matter, regardless of status. Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC but to honourably answer their invitation.
“A situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, insufferably disquieting. A flight from the law does not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbates it.
“I state unequivocally that I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC and indeed any other agency to order when there is indication of any transgression of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies, but I also tenaciously hold the view that institutions of state should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently. Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.
“I therefore encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world.”
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