EFCC operatives had laid siege to Bello’s house to arrest him on Wednesday.
Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has warned members of the public against preventing its officers from carrying out their lawful duties.
The commission said that it is a criminal offence to obstruct or prevent personnel from conducting their lawful duties, citing section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act. According to the agency, culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.
SaharaReporters earlier reported on Wednesday that Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State smuggled his immediate predecessor and political godfather, Yahaya Bello out of his Abuja residence.
EFCC operatives had laid siege to Bello’s house to arrest him on Wednesday.
It also reported that there were gunshots as the policemen with the Kogi governor prevented the EFCC personnel from arresting the embattled former governor, Bello. Ododo subsequently whisked Bello out of the area in his official vehicle.
However, the Commission in a statement on Wednesday evening titled: “We Will No Longer Tolerate Obstruction of Our Operations,” and signed by its spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said that the warning was necessary due to the increasing tendency of some persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC.
The statement reads, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission wishes to warn members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.
“Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties. Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.
“This warning becomes necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC.
“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order. Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.
“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions.”
In another statement on Wednesday, the agency said, “The Commission’s attempt to execute the Warrant of Arrest lawfully obtained against Bello met stiff resistance on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
“The security cordon around the former governor’s residence in Abuja was breached by the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo who ensured that the suspect was spirited away in his official vehicle.
“As a responsible law enforcement agency, the EFCC exercised restraint in the face of the provocation, waiting for his arraignment on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
“It is needful to state that Bello is not above the law and would be brought to justice as soon as possible.”