Itse Sagay, former chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), says Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, committed a criminal offence by shielding Yahaya Bello, his predecessor, from arrest.
Last week, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) restricted movement in and around Bello’s house on Benghazi street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
Hours later, Ododo arrived at Bello’s residence and was reportedly seen leaving with his predecessor.
Speaking with TheCable, Sagay said Ododo abused the immunity privilege he enjoys by whisking Bello away and preventing his arrest by anti-graft officials.
“That was a clear abuse of immunity. The immunity provision is meant for him alone. He has no right to extend it to other people. What he did by aiding Yahaya Bello’s escape was illegal and unconstitutional,” Sagay said.
“It is good the EFCC officials were restrained because they would have been justified in physically engaging the governor’s security team in order to seize Yahaya Bello from them.
“What the governor did was illegal. He was hiding a fugitive and that is a criminal offence. He is making himself an accessory after the fact.”