.Demands probe of FCT Minister, Wike
By Bayo Davids
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All-Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank on Tuesday commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for going the whole distance in its bid to arrest former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
Recall that the 48 year-old Bello was declared wanted last week after the anti-graft body failed in its bid to arrest him over allegation of money laundry to the tune of N80.2bn.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mr. Frank urged the EFCC to broaden its investigation to include other allegedly corrupt individuals, particularly former governors, ministers, and public officials associated with both the past administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari and the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He said, “We commend the EFCC for its efforts in pursuing Yahaya Bello’s prosecution. However, we urge the agency to also investigate other former governors, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, whose alleged corrupt practices have been reported to the EFCC,” said Frank.
Until this is done, the activist said the commission’s efforts to apprehend Bello and bring him to trial would appear to be a deliberate and malicious witch hunt simply because he contested the Presidential primary election of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) against President Bola Tinubu.
He continued, “We are yet to witness the arrest of several allegedly corrupt public officials who served under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, despite petitions against them before the EFCC. These individuals include former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom; former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, among others.
“Additionally, there are those like former personal assistant to President Buhari, Tunde Sabiu; former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Bashir Jamoh; immediate past Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami; the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Dr. Mele Kyari; and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who remain unprosecuted.
“Similarly, former Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Zainab Ahmed; former Director General of the Nigerian Ports Authority and current aide to President Tinubu, Hadiza Bala Usman; former Governor of Ebonyi State and present Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; and former security chiefs who are the subject of petitions before the EFCC continue to evade prosecution,” he added..
Frank, who represents the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) in East Africa and the Middle East, noted that by bringing these individuals to court to face trial, the EFCC would demonstrate to Nigerians that their actions against Bello are not politically motivated.
He said: “Someone like Wike has a petition against him before the EFCC, but they have never invited him to defend allegations against him. Is it because some of these people supported and campaigned for Tinubu to emerge President in 2023 that makes them untouchable?”
He added that the EFCC’s action against Bello is a positive step in the fight against corruption. However, he emphasized the need for the EFCC to show the same level of commitment in addressing allegations against other corrupt individuals.
“For instance, we have seen the recent revelation of the Governor of Abia State, Alex Oti, against the former governor of the State, Okezie Ikpeazu, concerning humongous money paid for the construction of a non-existent airport and other bogus projects by the immediate past administration in Abia state,” he added.