By Uche Onyeali
Anti-corruption civil society organisations have described a statement credited to Human and Environmental Development Agenda, HEDA, calling for the arrest of a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, as a “display of egregious ignorance.”
The coalition in a statement on Thursday made available to journalists in Abuja, said with the current situation of things around the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, only an uninformed person would still be calling for his arrest.
The activists said it is a known fact that HEDA had a history of encouraging executive lawlessness and threatened to expose the various alleged misuse of civil society organisations by agents of the commission to promote actions that are detrimental to the cause of justice and legality.
According to the CSOs, “It is particularly hypocritical for HEDA to demand the arrest of Bello while failing to address the real issue: EFCC’s inaction! Only days ago, he voluntarily visited the EFCC headquarters in Abuja to respond to the allegations against him.
The statement, signed by the spokesperson of the coalition, Comrade Olufemi Lawson and five other leaders, condemned a recent media statement from HEDA, demanding the forceful arrest of the former Kogi governor on allegations raised by the EFCC.
According to the CSOs, “This call is not only reckless, but represents an insidious disregard for the rule of law in our nation.
“HEDA’s appeal for the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, and the director-general of the State Security Services, SSS, to act against Bello is an insensitive and misguided incitement to disobedience of due legal procedures. It is unacceptable for any organisation to advocate for extrajudicial actions that threaten the integrity of our legal system, democracy and the rule of law, particularly when the rights of individuals are at stake.
“Instead of recognising this act of compliance, HEDA chose to stoke unfounded outrage, thereby undermining the very process it claims to support
“Moreover, we must highlight its troubling history of encouraging executive lawlessness. The organisation has a documented pattern of pressuring the former EFCC Chairman, Abdul Rasheed Bawa, to disregard lawful court orders and actions which ultimately culminated in his dismissal by President Bola Tinubu. This history raises serious questions about HEDA’s motives and credibility as a supposed advocate for justice.
“The ongoing trial of Alhaji Bello is currently a matter before multiple courts, including the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The politicisation of this case by the EFCC has not only created unnecessary drama, but has also complicated legal proceedings. HEDA’s insistence on forceful arrest undermines the judicial process and disrespects the courts that are tasked with delivering justice.”
