Wilson Uwujaren, the spokesperson for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has questioned why the former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello is refusing to defend himself in court against the EFCC allegations. He stated that the commission has recently prosecuted three former governors for alleged corruption.
He highlighted that the three former governors have since been granted bail after pleading their cases. He argued that the EFCC’s investigation into Yahaya Bello’s alleged corruption has been thorough, and they believe they have a strong case against him. He pointed out that the commission is not opposed to individuals hiring legal representation, and that Yahaya Bello has the resources to engage the best legal minds in the country to plead his case.
He said in an interview with Channels TV from 11:11, ‘He’s not the first former Governor that EFCC will take to court. And, as at the last count, under the current leadership of the EFCC, we have three former governors that have been taken to court on alleged corruption cases. But they took their plea, and they have been granted bail. I don’t see a reason why a single individual [Yahaya Bello] will hold the entire nation to ransom because corruption charges have been filed against you.
If you are innocent of those charges, go to court and defend yourself. He has the resources to hire the best lawyers that this country can offer, and EFCC is not against anybody hiring any lawyer. We know we have done our investigation, and we believe that we have a case against him, and that is the reason why we fight those matters in court. But if he believes that he is innocent of those charges, avail yourself by following the process that the law has established for this country by presenting yourself in court.”