April 18, (THEWILL)- The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has asked former Governor Yahaya Bello, and other persons invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour the invitation.
THEWILL earlier reported that efforts by the anti-graft agency to arrest former governor Yahaya Bello at his Abuja residence on Wednesday were allegedly foiled by Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State, who was said to have whisked him away in his official car.
The EFCC had in a 19-count charge filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, accused former governor Yahaya Bello of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds to the tune of about N84 billion.
In a statement on Thursday, Fagbemi advises individuals invited by the EFCC not to put any obstruction in the way of the Commission but to honourably answer their invitation.
He said “the bizarre drama confronting the EFCC in the course of its efforts to perform its statutory duty,” with respect to the charge it filed against the erstwhile governor, has come to his notice, describing it as “a matter of very grave concern.”
“It is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigation into any matter regardless of status.
“Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC but to honourably answer their invitation.
“A situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is, to say the least, insufferably disquieting.
“A flight from the law does not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbates it.
“I state unequivocally that I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC and indeed any other agency to order when there is an indication of any transgression of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies, but I also tenaciously hold the view that institutions of State should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently.
“Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.
“I, therefore, encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world,” the statement read in part.
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