The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has advised former governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to heed the advice of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) by submitting himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the courts of law to clear himself of allegations of financial malfeasance while in office.
The group noted that the anti-graft agency has not, in any way, erred but is doing its lawful job by asking the former governor to appear before it for questioning.
This advisory was contained in a statement jointly signed on Sunday, April 28, in Abuja, by its chairman, Emeka Nwankpa and secretary, Dapo Okubanjo.
Concerned by the unnecessary stand-off between the agency and the former governor, the group described Bello’s action as an affront to the sanctity of the law and the integrity of the President’s war against corruption.
The group explained that EFCC is mandated by law to scrutinise and enforce accountability of persons in government positions, which is also in line with the anti-corruption policy of the President Bola Tinubu administration
The group said: “We have carefully watched all the drama and subterfuge that continue to trail the invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to Governor Yahaya Bello, a senior member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the curious attempts to politicize the routine matter of the request by the graft fighting agency to ask former Governor Bello to meet with its investigators.
“For us, the intervention of the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, asking the former Kogi governor to subject himself to EFCC’s scrutiny is a clear signal in this regard, not only on the position of law but also on the stance of the President Bola Tinubu administration on anti-corruption.
“It should be clear by now to all Nigerians that strict accountability in governance occupies a cardinal place in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. To serve this purpose, his government has shown zero tolerance for cases of corruption since assuming office.
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“So the EFCC, by inviting the former governor Yahaya Bello, like it did with past and previous officials of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the immediate past Aviation minister, Hadi Sirika, is in tandem with its policy and character to nurture a culture of probity and accountability in governance.
“As a staunch member of our Party, we believe that Yahaya Bello has no reason to fear. It is a process that is not predetermined. We urge him to heed the advice of the Attorney General and make himself available to EFCC’s investigators as required by extant laws.
“We also advise members of the ruling party who have been up in arms against the anti-graft agency to be circumspect in their reaction to the issue.
“We see their anti-EFCC stance as a wrong signal and wonder what their response would be if opposition elements decided to constitute an obstruction to an invitation by the anti-graft agency to former public officials who are not APC members.
“For us, Yahaya Bello owes it a duty to the state and the people he governed, if not to himself, to give account in line with our laws, and global best practices; it should not be seen as a witch hunt.
“So rather than running from the law, this is a unique opportunity for Bello to face it with a view to preserving his integrity and honour which may qualify him for higher national responsibilities in the future.” The statement added.
TMSG also counselled the anti-graft agency not to be deterred in its efforts at enthroning sanity, probity, and accountability in governance at all levels in the country.
