A Kogi State-based political group, C5 (64), has risen in support of the former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, calling for a fair hearing in his travails with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The group reportedly has members from the five local councils and the 64 wards of Okunland, Kogi West Senatorial District and over 1,280 members as of Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Former member of the Kogi State House Assembly, who coordinates the group, Philip Orebiyi, told The Guardian: “I cannot be against the trial of anyone for corruption, including Bello. So, what are my concerns here? The huge inconsistencies in the information put out by the EFCC.
“As the convener of the C5(64) group, I condemn any brute and sensational arrest of a suspect such as Bello. It does not matter the station of life of such suspect, whether high or low.”
It is in this context that we believe the commission’s tactics in attempting to arrest Bello ought to be situated.
“While no one quarrels with the commission’s full mandate to tackle economic crimes, the way and manner in which it does so must, however, not portray any impunity or suggest that it is above the law.”
