A former spokesperson for the now-defunct Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Daniel Bwala, has emphasized the need for reform within the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission during an interview on Arise Television.
Bwala’s remarks come in response to the recent statement by EFCC boss, Ola Olukoyede, asserting that the embattled former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, must face prosecution.
Olukoyede vowed to pursue Bello’s prosecution to a logical conclusion and assured that those who obstructed the former governor’s arrest would face justice.
The EFCC seeks to arraign Bello on 19 counts related to alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds totaling N80.2 billion.
Commenting on the situation, Bwala stated, “I don’t think, at this stage, anyone should doubt that the EFCC needs reform. In the interview he had on Tuesday, he shot himself with so many types of bullets, showing the world that it is a disproportionate application of their principles.
“One, he said he would give the governor a chance to come to his office through the back door for an interview, which nobody gets, and the law is that everyone is equal and nobody is above the law.
“Secondly, it also shows the zeal with which he (Yahaya Bello) must be arrested. There are similar cases before him (EFCC chairman), to which he has given a preliminary indictment, but the person has not been arrested.
“A good example is the suspended Humanitarian Minister, and there’s no drama around her. He even said it’s not about her but the system. In one breath, it’s about personality; in another, it’s not.”
Bwala had previously stated that the EFCC’s declaration of Bello as wanted was unnecessary, arguing that the commission had all the necessary tools to arrest him. He questioned why the EFCC could not treat Bello in the same manner as it did with former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha.
“Unless EFCC and Yaya Bello are both doing simulation for a movie about the agency and former governors, the press statement captioned “wanted” is not necessary.
“You were at his residence to effect arrest- you failed to apply ACJA or better still what you did to Okorocha at his residence. You knew who came and whisked him away- you allowed that.
“Both him and the incumbent governor have security detail from police and SSS who must report activities including the whereabouts of their VIPs to their commands- meaning his whereabouts is not hidden.
“You knew Police and SSS have surveillance instruments for geo-tracking and geo-locating- yet you failed to approach,” he said.
