Corruption Allegations: Human Rights Group, CHSR, Urges EFCC To Take Action Against Bobrisky, Yahaya Bello

A human rights group, Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR), has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to take a serious action on the bribery allegation involving Mr Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye aka Bobrisky and the fraud case of former governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

 

Speaking at a press conference, which held on Friday, September 27 at the Liberation Center, Ijaiye, Lagos, the President of CHSR, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, urged the EFCC to constitute an investigation team on the allegation that Bobrisky offered N15 million to officials of the Nigeria Correctional Center, when he was jailed for six months over abuse of the naira.

 

"Of particular note, our attention has been drawn to the duo of Mr Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye alias Bobrisky and former governor  Yahaya Bello case.

 

"We appreciate and give kudos to the prompt reaction of the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede in constituting an investigation team to look into the merits and demerits of the whistle blower VeryDarkMan of #15 million bribery allegations against men and officers of the EFCC.

 

"The investigation by the EFCC should determine whether or not there was any financial inducement by Bobrisky or anyone on his behalf in exchange for the dropping of money laundering charges against him. 

 

"Any person found complicit must face the full weight of the law. As an organisation, we urge the EFCC leadership for an open, sincere and thorough investigation, the case must not be swept under the carpet so that Nigerians can see and know that the agency is not and will not condone corruption within the ranks of its working staff. 

 

"Any culpable officer must be brought to justice to serve as deterrent to others. CHSR as a social crusader frowned at the position of the Kogi State Assembly, during Monday September 23, 2024 plenary session condemning EFCC’s siege on the Kogi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, in an attempt to arrest Yahaya Bello last Wednesday. 

 

"The lawmakers accused the anti-graft agency of attempting to assassinate both Bello and Governor Usman Ododo by allegedly firing gunshots during the attempt to arrest Bello in Abuja," he said.

 

Omotehinse stated that the people should strongly condemn "such an unpatriotic move by the State Assembly, which supposed to be the voice of both the rich and poor people of Kogi State. Infact, Kogi State government ought to have constituted panel of enquiry to look into Yahaya Bello government regime."

 

The activist stressed that the EFCC, as a creation of the National Assembly, is saddled with the responsibility to investigate and enforce all economic and financial crimes laws in Nigeria. 

 

According to him, "this is exactly what they have done by filing case against the former governor before a court of competent jurisdiction, so why the hullabaloo?"

 

"The Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja  on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 ordered former governor Yahaya Adoza Bello to present himself before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, for arraignment before any further action could be undertaken in his case.

 

"The ruling was part of an unanimous judgment of the Appeal Court Justices, delivered by Hon Justice I.K. Amadi in the appeal filed by J.S. Okutepa, SAN on behalf of the EFCC, against the judgment of Justice Isah Abdullahi Jamil of the Kogi State High Court in the fundamental right case filed by  Bello in February 2024 in relation to his prosecution by the Commission.

 

"The Appeal Court Justices further held that the freeing of Yahaya Bello from EFCC’s prosecution by Justice Jamil of the Kogi State High Court “under the guise of enforcing his fundamental rights was “scandalous,”  noting that “It is very clear that the purpose of the case instituted at the trial court was to shield the respondent Yahaya Bello from his criminal trial," he said 

 

He said that CHSR believes and is convinced beyond any doubt that "the continued defiance of court orders not only undermines the integrity of the judiciary but also erodes public trust in our law enforcement agencies."

 

He added that men of the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Security (DSS) attached to Governor Usman Ododo, are on a daily basis being used to prevent arrest of Yahaya Bello to avert justice.

 

Omotehinse then said that the Inspector General of Police and the Director of State Security Services should intervene to fulfill their constitutional duties and ensure that justice prevails.

 

On corruption in the Nigeria Correctional Centres, he said that the level of corruption in the centres by the officials are on the high side and that this did not just start today.

 

He said: "It s a known fact to many Nigerians that once you have a loaded purse you will be giving a preferential  treatment in the prison. 

 

"The patronage starts from the court premises immediately a suspect is being asked to be taken to custody pending the perfection of the person's bail. 

 

"The correctional center officers would start billing the suspect and they charge money as if it is a legitimate fees one should pay and if you do not meet their demand, they will tell the suspect point blank that he is going there to suffer as he will end up at the general cell. 

 

"Therefore we implore the anti-graft agency to beam their searchlight more on them so as curb future embarrassment to security network."