……Says It’s Criminal Obstructing Their Operations
Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State has been declared wanted on Thursday.
He was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for offences relating to economic and financial crimes.
This was contained in a notice posted on the commission’s official Facebook page on Thursday.
“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCC for offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.
“Anybody with information as to his whereabout should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station,” the notice read.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned Nigerians against obstructing its operatives during the course of their duties.
The warning came after security aides attached to embattled former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello on Wednesday, obstructed operatives from arresting him at his Abuja home.
In a Wednesday statement signed by the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, the commission said, “The EFCC 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,”
While quoting the provisions of the law, Oyewale noted that culprits are liable to a jail term of not less than five years.
He added that on several occasions, operatives of the EFCC have had to exercise restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.
He further noted that, regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.
Oyewale noted, “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.”