The human rights network alleged that the ex-governor, Bello “has only been declared wanted to deceive and hoodwink Nigerians.”
A Kogi-based group, the Network for Truth and Justice, (NTJ), has berated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede and Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun for their alleged nonchalance in bringing the fleeing former governor, Yahaya Bello, to book.
The ex-governor, Bello is wanted for allegedly stealing over N80billion from the coffers of state government during his eight-year rule.
The human rights network alleged that the ex-governor, Bello “has only been declared wanted to deceive and hoodwink Nigerians.”
The Spokesperson for NTJ, Hajarat Maimunat Ahmed an educationist turned human rights advocate, accused Bello of interfering in local administration of the state amid his corruption allegations.
She said, “While Bello insisted that all former caretaker chairmen must be returned to full executive capacities, he is quoted to have mandated the party executives to ensure that all vice chairmanship candidates are women. He also decreed that 40 percent of the councillors must also be women."
Speaking further, Mallama Ahmed said: "It is inconceivable that a common criminal like Bello, a man who has been declared wanted by the now toothless EFCC, the Nigerian Police Force and placed on immigration watchlist by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), has not only been walking free but is also having the audacity to confront the establishment. Bello's sheer effrontery to challenge the orders of the Supreme Court, albeit from his closet, is unimaginable."
Further still, Ahmed said: "It is a shame that our representatives in the National Assembly are all part of this grand conspiracy, shielding Yahaya Bello from prosecution instead of reporting him to the authorities. By their actions, Kogi State parliamentarians have not only acted dishonorably but have made themselves accomplices of Yahaya Bello's unforgivable sins committed against God and the people of Kogi State."
"Usman Ododo is not in charge in Kogi State. With the exception of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, it is a shame that our NASS representatives are collectively pandering to the antics of a common fugitive. They are in alignment with the scheme of a kleptocratic wanted man, who wants to retain Kogi State as his "automated teller machine," (ATM).
“Senators Sunday Karimi and Jibrin Echocho, as well as all members Kogi State Reps Caucus in the National Assembly, will need to explain to their constituents why they have chosen to maintain sealed lips in the aftermath of Yahaya Bello's excesses, even out of office.”
“Most of the members of the House of Representatives have completely been bought over mainly because they think it is politically expedient to their 2027 ambitions, without considering the sensitivities of the masses.”
“We are not unmindful of the lip service paid to Yahaya Bello being declared a wanted person by the EFCC Chairman. We have also noted the familial banters and dramas in the courtrooms in Abuja. Judges and lawyers, have deliberately deviated from the main focus which is Bello's affront to the law of the land. Hallowed chambers of law have now become performance theatres.”
They alleged that the EFCC chairman suddenly went cold after his public resolve to grab and prosecute Bello.
It would be recalled that the EFCC noted that the whereabouts of the fugitive ex-governor remained unknown while requesting the International Police, (INTERPOL) to keep a keen eye on Bello who was rumoured to be planning to escape Nigeria to North Africa.
It was further alleged that despite claims that EFCC does not know the whereabouts of Bello, he has “been staging and chairing meetings in high places.”
According to the network’s statement, Yahaya Bello hosted a meeting tagged "Kogi State Caucus in the House of Representatives."
It was alleged that the meeting reportedly held in an undisclosed location. Bello at the event allegedly ordered the "Kogi State House of Representatives Caucus" to ensure that the caretaker chairmen he handpicked preceeding the outlawed local government transition committtees, be returned as elected Council Chairmen.
He was reported to have directed compliance in all 21 local government areas in the state.
The group said it laughed at the “foolery of the federal government in trying to arrest himcc ccv, was quoted as boasting that nothing will change the diversion of council funds into u. Cncç JCoint Allocation Account, (JAAC.
There have been controversies around the arrest and prosecution of the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.