Lawyer warns EFCC against overstepping legal boundaries in Yahaya Bello’s case

In a press conference held on Sunday in Abuja, Jesutega Onokpasa, a legal practitioner and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), cautioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against acting beyond the law in its pursuit of former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.

Onokpasa urged the EFCC to first address the existing court order restraining it from arresting and prosecuting Bello before taking any further action. He highlighted that the commission’s attempt to apprehend Bello without lifting the court order would be deemed illegal.

The lawyer emphasized that the current actions by the EFCC appeared more like persecution than legitimate prosecution. He condemned the withdrawal of Bello’s security detail, stating that it exposed the former governor to potential political danger.

Onokpasa suggested that the legal protection sought by Bello was his right and criticized any attempts to arrest him without due process. He urged Nigerians, including current and former governors, to stand against what he described as an “utter travesty.”

In response to questions from journalists, Onokpasa dismissed claims that Bello was evading prosecution, asserting that the former governor was rightfully seeking protection from the court. He emphasized the need for the EFCC to adhere to legal procedures in handling the case.

Regarding the involvement of Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi in allegedly preventing Bello’s arrest, Onokpasa stated that there was no concrete evidence to support such claims.

The lawyer’s remarks underscored the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting legal processes in matters of justice.