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LAGOS – The tendency to politicize every issue has been a major reason most Nigerians don’t have respect for some agencies of government.
Integrity can be built and trust earned when the people are sure that in dealing with them, government institutions and agencies mustembrace due process.
According to Andy Griffith, “Whether a man is guilty or not, we have to find that out by due process law”
The action of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), laying siege to the residence of former Governor YahayaBello’s residence in Abuja in April this year already gave a worrying signal about the deliberate plan by the anti-graft agency to disrespect due process.
Remember that the former Governor had a valid court order against arrest or harassment pending the determination of a fundamental human rights case he had filed.
It’s important to state again that the action of the anti-graft agency casted doubt on its integrity.
Some people have come to believe that the EFCC was colluding with some influential politicians and others in government to intimidate and infringe on the fundamental rights of the former Governor.
According to them, it was wrong for the EFCC to have stormed the house of someone who had a valid court order, which prevented them from arresting him pending the determination of the matter in court.
It is so disturbing that the controversial warrant of arrest was obtained much later on the same day, in contravention of an existing order from a court of coordinate jurisdiction.
Again, after the news broke out that the Commission had vacated the order at the Court of Appeal at the end of August. His media office, thereafter, released a statement that, in line with the development, YahayaBello decided to present himself to the EFCC as a citizen who respects the rule of law, EFCCtold him to go home, and unfortunately it later turned around to launch an attack at the Kogi State Government Lodge the same night. This only confirms that the anti-graft agency is unrepentant no matter the public outcry on its unprofessional behaviour.
Recall that some individuals and groups had called out theCommission a few months ago and reiterated the need for it to act professionally in handling of YahayaBello’s case, one of such groups was the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP).
The group had in a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, highlighted concerns over the EFCC’s methods of handling personalities like Bellowho was earlier declared wanted for corruption charges, and the implications for Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
According to the CNPP, the Commission’s actions have embarrassed the nation and reinforced the perception that the anti-corruption campaign has been compromised and politicized.
The CNPP pointed out that in the Yahaya Bellocase, the EFCC is increasingly becoming more persecutory than prosecutory.”
The group maintained that “instead of a straightforward process, he was reportedly asked to go, only the same evening to be subjected to a gestapo-style raid by EFCC operatives at the Kogi State Governor’s lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.”
So, Nigerians have every reason to express concern over what theEFCC will be do now that Yahaya Bello is in their custody and some people have reiterated the fact that the Commission must not politicize anything here because it is already in the eye of the storm and the whole world is watching to see how everything is going to play out.
Our reporter spoke with Mr. Emmanuel Okeke, a human rights activist, who expressed displeasure with the operations of the EFCC, especially in relation with handling cases of perceived political enemies.
He said, “The truth is that I don’t think any Nigerian can tell you that he or she has confidence in EFCC to fight any anti-corruption. As long as you are not dining with the government in power or you are identified as a political enemy, EFCC will embarrass you and it is very unfortunate.
“I am a bit worried because in this time of technology, whatever you are doing is seen all over the globe. EFCC doesn’t even care what it does as long as it is directed at the perceived political enemies of their pay masters.
“They are talking about corruption, some of their friends who everybody knows are corrupt are moving freely. In fact they dine with them but go about hunting others who didn’t even commit 20 percent of what their friends have done. It’s not I’m supporting corruption at whatever level but these agenciesmust be impartial and be seen to be so to remain relevant.
“The handling of the case of Yahaya Bello is a fragrant disregard of rule of law. The man was in your office and you didn’t arrest him. We heard they asked him to go, only for them to go back at night to embarrass him. I am sure that somebody must have given them that instruction from the high and might. I don’t know how one can explain it? I learnt that he went there on his own, they saw him and allowed him to go but later went looking for him. The EFCCchairman needs to be careful what he does with Yahaya Bellobecause all eyes are on him.
“As a Nigerian, this embarrassment that these agencies are giving us is not good for the image of this country. How can you even attract investors to a county that doesn’t have regard for the rule of law? Nigerians mustall rise to condemn some of these barbaric actions of these agencies.
“The unfortunate thing is that these people will someday leave the offices they are occupying. What are they going to be remembered for?
“Remember that whatever offence the former Governor is being charged for can only be proven by the court and due process is paramount.”
The charge for the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede is to know that all eyes are on him and Nigerians are watching to know how if he is determined to carry out his job professionally and stop allowing politicians influence what he does. What is constant in life is change and one day, he will leave office. What would he want to be remembered for?
According to Harry S. Truman, “The guilty as well as the innocent are entitled to due processof law. They are entitled to a fair trial. They are entitled to counsel. They are entitled to fair treatment from the police. The law enforcement officer has the same duty to abide by the letter and spirit of our constitution and law. You, yourselves must be intellectually honest in the fulfilment of the law”
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