By Kolawole Ojebisi
A group known as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Vanguard has asked immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to appear before the court and clear his name to prove his innocence.
The group maintained that Bello’s failure to appear before the court is not just an embarrassment to the APC but also it also tarnishes the reputation of the party.
This position is contained in a post issued by Rasheed Sanusi, coordinator of the group on Sunday. “Bello’s consistent disobedience of court summons and forum shopping are now being misinterpreted as a result of protection by the Presidency being a member of the APC and having played a role in the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council,” Sanusi said.
He added: “Ex-Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku has also been arrested by EFCC to account for his actions and activities while in office and has since been released on bail.
“Only last week, ex-Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was arrested and released on administrative bail. Also, the outgoing Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has declared his readiness to answer EFCC’s invitation, if invited
“So, why is Yahaya Bello shunning court summons? Who are those in the Presidency allegedly protecting Bello? This seemingly state of helplessness is embarrassing to our Party, the Presidency and the country as a whole.
“It is a global shame. We urge Bello to voluntarily appear for arraignment at the courts or be forced to do so by inter-agency cooperation. Enough is enough!”.
Yahaya Bello, who governed for eight years as Kogi state governor, is facing a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80 billion.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has found it difficult to arraign the former governor at the federal high court in Abuja on account of his elusiveness.
EFCC is seeking to try him in absentia.
