CSO gives IGP 14-day ultimatum to arrest Yahaya Bello

The Centre for Social and Economic Rights (CSER) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), over Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi. 

On April 18, 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared Bello wanted over alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation to the tune of N80.2 billion.

The former governor, who is the sole defendant in a 19-count charge earlier preferred against him by the anti-graft agency, will face another fresh 16-count charge alongside two officials of the Kogi state government — Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Oricha.

However, Bello is yet to make any appearance in court.

In a statement on Monday, Nelson Ekujumi, CSER’s executive director, said the organisation has written a petition to the IGP.

The group also reminded the IGP that he is a member of the board of the EFCC and that by his membership, he is expected by law “to support the EFCC with its performance and also deploy human resources, officers as the need may arise”.

“Sir, we deem it fit and most appropriate at this point in time to request that you deploy the resources and the expertise of your office to arrest and bring before a competent law court the immediate past governor of Kogi state, his excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, or upon his arrest, to hand him over to the EFCC for investigation and subsequent arraignment in the court of law,” the letter to the IGP reads.

“That we are aware and it is well known to the public that all attempts by the EFCC and the court to make H. E. Yahaya Bello face justice and answer the allegations against him are being repeatedly frustrated by your men (policemen), who continue to provide security for the former governor, thereby preventing his arrest.

“Sir, it is more embarrassing to us that your good self being the Inspector General of Police and the director-general of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), by law, actually sit on the board of the EFCC.

“The drafters of the EFCC Act actually knew what they were doing when they included you and the director-general of the DSS as members of the board of EFCC, the reason for such cannot be farfetched, which is to support the EFCC with its performance and also to deploy human resources, officers as the need may arise.

“Your men have been seen in the full glare of the public not only providing security cover for H.E Yahaya Bello, but also actually preventing the EFCC from arresting him.

“Owing to the above and coupled with the facts that H.E Yahaya Bello’s failed and refused to voluntarily report to the nearest police station, to the EFCC or the court, has caused Nigeria gross shame locally and internationally; we are therefore, left with no other option than to demand your obligatory duty as enshrined in the Nigeria Police Establishment Act, 2020 and in line with your constitutional responsibility.

“We hereby give you a maximum of fourteen (14) days to arrest H.E Yahaya Bello and hand him over to the EFCC or the court.

“Finally, should you fail to meet our request above, please take note that we will, without further communication with you, commence a legal action against you by applying to the court for an order of mandamus to compel you to perform your statutory obligations by arresting and taking his excellency Yahaya Bello to either the EFCC or the law court.”