Former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni, has described the drama that ensued between former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a manifestation of the failure of institutions.
Bello had previously been declared wanted over allegations of money laundering and corruption to the tune of N80.2 billion. However, he finally honoured the EFCC’s invitation, accompanied by Kogi Governor Usman Ododo and others, but was asked to leave.
However, shortly after his visit to the EFCC office, its operatives besieged the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja in an attempt to arrest the former governor.
The EFCC is prosecuting Bello for alleged criminal diversion and money laundering to the tune of N80,246,470,089.88 while he was in office as Kogi State Governor.
SaharaReporters reported on April 18 that the anti-corruption agency had filed 19 criminal counts before a Federal High Court in Abuja against the former governor, bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
The charge filed at the Federal High Court 9, with charge FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024, dated March 9, 2024, has Yahaya Adoza Bello as the sole Defendant while the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the complainant.
The EFCC in the charge papers obtained by SaharaReporters, accused the ex-governor of converting N80,246,470,089.88 belonging to the Kogi State government in February 2016 to himself, an offence which is contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.
Bello was also accused of indirectly using one Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu to launder the sum of N950 million being proceeds of crime for the acquisition of a property at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja.
However, Owoseni told The Guardian on Monday that EFCC has been too dramatic over the issue.
He advised the agency to desist from taking Nigerians for granted and insulting their sensibilities, adding that there is little or no inter-agency collaboration in the country.
He said, “I think they aren’t just ready to arrest the guy. The EFCC is too dramatic about the whole issue.
“And, of course, it’s a manifestation of the failure of institutions, the security institutions in particular. The ethics of the job and loyalty to the institutions have been thrown to the wind.
“In addition, there is little or no inter-agency collaboration, despite them mouthing it all the time.
“The EFCC should stop insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians. With all the drama, even when arrested, other than plea bargaining and VIP treatment in the detention facilities, what next?”
“These felons will still come out, buy the conscience of the people, and reposition themselves in the corridors of power,” he added.