A support group of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), National Progressive Hub (NPH) has faulted the alleged invasion of the Kogi state government lodge in Abuja by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an attempt to arrest the former governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The group in a statement in Abuja at the weekend by its national coordinator, Hon. Bukkie Okangbe, said the action by the anti-graft agency was unprofessional and unethical.
Okangbe argued that Nigeria is a country governed by law, adding that the operation of EFCC, as an agency of government should be guided by the law.
The group further noted that Nigeria’s constitution gives credence to the fundamental human rights of every citizen irrespective of their position or status.
“So, also are state actors and agencies expected to carry out their roles and responsibilities in accordance with the law of the land thereby respecting the fundamental human rights of the citizens. This is what depicts a sane society in the 21st Century.
“As a group of individuals that believe in the rule of law and the sanctity of the constitution, we know that while the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) as an agency of government has the responsibility to its duty, we also believe that such responsibility must be carried out within the ambit of the law.
“Our law respects the dignity of every citizen and any agency behaving contrary to this must be called to order. There are anti-crime agencies all over the world and they have not been seen misusing or abusing power like the EFCC has continued to do.
“It is on record that the former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello was at the EFCC office in Abuja on Tuesday 17th, 2024 to honour the agency’s call for interrogation.
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“While the agency could have used the opportunity to ask the former governor necessary questions of their choice for clarification, he was simply asked to go home only for the men of the agency to come later in the night to carry out an unlawful operation capable of throwing the nation into another security uproar.”
The group then described the action of EFCC as “not only shameful and unnecessary but unprofessional and unethical, especially when the former governor has made himself available to them earlier.
“This act clearly shows that the agency has nothing substantial or evidence-based against the former governor regarding its claim of corruption. All that EFCC is doing is a mere media trial just to gain public sympathy and portray itself as an agency working for the conscience of the nation.
“We reject and condemn this act of recklessness by the EFCC and wish this doesn’t repeat itself.
“Having seen overtime such abuse of power and reckless invasion by the EFCC especially on prominent and respected personalities in the country, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the leadership of the agency to order and not allow the personal and selfish interest of the leaders of the agency to tarnish and rubbish the good image of his ‘Renewed Hope’ administration.”