A coalition of Kogi Youths under the banner of Network of Professional Kogi State Youths has called on the former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to come out from hiding and surrender to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello is alleged to have misappropriated over ₦85 billion naira and has been currently declared wanted by the EFCC after several attempts to have him arrested failed including the recent incidence in Abuja where the current Governor of the State and his loyalist was accused of breaching the security cordon to whisk the accused away.
The coalition in a statement issued by Comrade Abdulquadri Shuaibu frowned at the former governor’s alleged disregard for the rule of law including evasion of a lawful arrest, describing it as “regrettable, disgraceful and embarrassing.”
According to the release, “As a former governor, we expected some degree of decorum and respect for the rule of law from him. The recent confrontation between the EFCC and Governor Yahaya Bello at his Abuja residence is a regrettable episode that is an embarrassment to Kogi people and Nigerians at large. We unequivocally condemn the former Governor’s conduct and insist that justice must take its course.
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“As a united coalition representing the citizens of Kogi State, we issue a 24-hour ultimatum to Yahaya Bello to vacate the Government House and surrender to the EFCC or the nearest police station. Failure to comply, we will occupy the Government House in a mega protest to ensure Bello’s accountability and safeguard the integrity of our judicial system.”
The coalition also condemned the alleged role of Governor Usman Ododo in allegedly aiding the former governor to evade arrest, calling for his impeachment by the state assembly.