From Our Correspondent in Lokoja
The Forum of Amalgamated Unions of Concerned Kogi State Citizens has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what they describe as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) "politically motivated persecution" of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
Speaking at a press conference held on Monday, September 23, 2024, Mr. David Ehimony, Kogi State Chairman of the Middle Belt Forum, praised Bello’s administration for its efforts in combating insecurity, positioning Kogi as one of the most secure states in Nigeria.
He called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to address issues of conflicting court injunctions in corruption cases.
The forum expressed concern over what they consider the EFCC’s undue harassment of Bello, especially following a late-night raid at the Kogi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja after Bello voluntarily complied with a summons on September 18, 2024.
The group labeled the raid as a "disturbing dereliction of duty" by the EFCC.
The EFCC had previously accused Bello of embezzling ₦80 billion from the Kogi State treasury in 2015, before he assumed office in January 2016, an allegation the group deems unfounded and illogical.
The group also raised concerns about selective justice, questioning why other former governors, such as Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State and Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, have not faced similar actions despite facing allegations of corruption.
The forum further questioned whether the EFCC's actions against Bello represent a broader marginalization of Kogi State in national governance, urging a thorough investigation into the treatment of the state's leaders.
