EFCC Cries Out Over Public Backlash Against Yahaya Bello’s Corruption Case
EFCC Cries Out Over Public Backlash Against Yahaya Bello’s Corruption Case
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has complained of persistent public pressure over its handling of major corruption trials, particularly the ongoing prosecution of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
The commission says it has become a target of criticism because some of the high-profile cases under its investigation and prosecution have remained unresolved in court for extended periods.
EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, raised the concern while addressing journalists at a joint security agencies’ press briefing organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja.
The briefing brought together public relations representatives of various security and law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, NAPTIP, NDLEA, DSS and Fire Service.
Oyewale was responding to questions about why certain criminal cases are concluded quickly while others remain in court for years.
He explained that the EFCC’s responsibility ends with investigating cases and presenting them for prosecution, while the authority to determine their outcome rests exclusively with the judiciary.
According to him, the commission cannot dictate how long a court should take to conclude a trial or compel judges to deliver judgments within a particular period.
He urged Nigerians to distinguish between delays caused by judicial processes and the performance of the anti-graft agency, insisting that the EFCC should not be held responsible for every prolonged trial.
Oyewale also pointed to the conviction of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, who was sentenced to 75 years in prison, as an example of a corruption case that was concluded relatively quickly.
He noted that differences in the complexity of cases, the number of witnesses and other legal procedures could determine how long a trial would last.
Defending the commission’s performance, the spokesman claimed that the EFCC maintains a prosecution success rate of about 98 per cent, adding that its legal team remains committed to securing convictions in cases brought before the courts.
He further disclosed that the prosecution of Bello is being handled in two separate courts, assuring that the commission would continue attending court proceedings until the judiciary reaches its decisions.
Oyewale specifically appealed to the media to help educate Nigerians on the limits of the EFCC’s powers, lamenting that the agency continues to face public criticism over the former Kogi governor’s case.
Meanwhile, the commission declined to comment on matters concerning electoral spending, explaining that the issue would be addressed at the appropriate time when elections approach.
(Source: Daily Trust)
