Anita Ogona
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained why its operatives did not attend to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello when he arrived at their office yesterday.
According to the commission, Bello arrived with a convoy and a sitting governor, in violation of the EFCC’s protocols.
The EFCC stated, “Upon realizing that Bello was accompanied by a sitting governor and other dignitaries, the Executive Chairman directed that no official should attend to him.
“His mode of arrival breached our protocol. No Nigerian, regardless of status, is expected to respond to an invitation with a convoy and a sitting governor. To the EFCC, he came in a manner that contradicted our procedures.
“There are documentation stages that Bello skipped because of the governor’s presence, who enjoys immunity.
“The EFCC did not invite the governor, so there was no reason for him to accompany Bello to our headquarters in Abuja. We have been uncomfortable with the governor’s role in this matter.
“Bello was expected to fulfill all documentation processes and arrive with his lawyer(s), not a governor or Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). We cannot be intimidated or allow our system to be compromised by political influence.
“This led the Executive Chairman to direct that no official should attend to Bello. He must follow due process like any other invitee.
“The commission was also displeased with the premature media reports by Bello’s team, which created misleading impressions. There were claims that the ex-governor was already in EFCC custody.”
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings