The recent arrest of some officials of the Kogi state government by the operatives of the Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is a flagrant abuse of the ‘Rule of Law’, a group, Nigerian Youth Initiative for Good Governance (NYIGG), has said.
The group’s Coordinator, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, in a statement he issued in Abuja on Wednesday, wondered why the EFCC would assume the role of Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to monitor how state governments spend their allocated resources.
It, however, called the well-meaning Nigerians as well as the Presidency – under which the agency directly operates to call it to order, and not the distort and disrupt the relative peace the Confluence State has enjoyed since the ascendancy Governor Yahya Bello.
“The EFCC no doubt plays very critical but regulated roles in the anti-corruption drive of the country. However, its actions often times show an agency that is a perpetual law breaker which in itself a form of corruption. The question on the lips of every discerning mind is that when has it become the business of the anti-graft agency to monitor how a state (in a federal system of government) spends its funds.
“Such function is exclusively that of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC). Let it be placed on record that what the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently did in Kogi State by arresting some officials of the State Government on a trumped-up charge is not only antithetical to its very Act (Section 46 of the EFCC Act) that empowers it, but also flagrant abuse of the ‘Rule of Law’.
“Any attempt by the agency to extend its powers beyond the provisos in Section 46 of the EFCC Act requires that the agency approach the National Assembly to demand more powers. Only recently, the apex court – Supreme Court clearly stated in one of its judgements that the EFCC could not be jack of all trades and that it was important that the agency stuck to what the laws empower it to do, not wild goose chase of law-abiding citizens like it currently is doing to some illustrious Kogites.
“We as public servants will continue to support the anti-corruption agency to carry out its official duties, but not when such moves and/or actions are disingenuous, claptrap and baloney just to score cheap political points. As an indispensable arm in the fight against sleaze and corruption in Nigeria, it should not allow itself be employed as a willing tool in the hands of political adversaries to score cheap political points.
“The EFCC should never be seen as an arm of government to witch-hunt perceived political foes. We therefore call on well-meaning Nigerians as well as The Presidency – under which the agency directly operates to call it to order and not the distort and disrupt the relative peace the Confluence State has enjoyed since the ascendancy of the performing Governor, Alhaji Yahya Bello – the White Lion.
“We do not want to believe by any ounce that the Commission is indescribably selective in its operations – investigations, arrests and prosecutions. Its actions over time have shown that the agency has always been a willing tool in the hands of some individuals with vested interests. Once again, the case with Kogi State by the EFCC is one too many. This has already brewed suspicion among state actors that the Commission has particular interest in disturbing the peace of Kogi State.
“For the umpteenth time, it does not fall within purview of the agency to dictate to confederal states the fiscal application of their funds and resources. The EFCC is not a meddlesome interloper and should desist forthwith acting as one. We therefore by this release, call on Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari to call the EFCC to order before the Commission destroys the glittering achievements of Mr. President in the last couple of years fighting corruption which hitherto has even been commended by his fiercest critics.
“Kogi State is peaceful. Kogi State is developing. Kogi State is rising under the man with the Midas touch, Governor Yahya Bello and the EFCC should not be a cog in the wheel of this accelerated development. We are not unaware that this whole move by the anti-corruption Commission was masterminded and a calculated attempt by enemies of the State for political advantage. And we want to tell them categorically that as usual, this is dead on arrival!’’, the group said.
Bailout: EFCC ’s arrest of Kogi officials, vendetta – Group
