Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday clashed with supporters of former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, at the headquarters of the agency in Abuja.
This is even as the pro-EFCC protesters were welcomed by the commission when they came for solidarity protests.
Reporters had to scramble for safety as some of the pro-Yahaya Bello protesters were rough-handled.
The head of the Kogi Youth Coalition, Otitoleke Richard, who spoke with journalists during the attack said, “We are here this morning at the headquarters of EFCC in Abuja, addressing a topical national issue that has to do with the rule of law, the defence of democratic governance in Nigeria.
“We have been intimidated; we have been harassed. The EFCC is saying we do not have the right to express our opinion on national issues. We have been shot at; they have used their sticks to beat ordinary Nigerians that are harmless.
“We shall continue to air our opinion for democracy to thrive in Nigeria. Nigeria is not a Banana Republic. We’re saying the rule of law must be applied in all corruption files. You cannot fight corruption with lawlessness,” he said.
Another protester, who simply identified himself as Malik, said it was unfortunate that peaceful protests that were the right of every Nigerian had now been made selective by the commission.
“Why didn’t they attempt to disperse those Igala boys that protested against the former governor. Can you imagine? EFCC allegedly sponsoring Muri Ajaka’s boys to come and support them and call Yahaya Bello out?
“Nigerians should not be fooled to think anybody is fighting any corruption. They just want him out. Period. But we are saying they can’t disgrace him. He has done more than any governor for us in Kogi State and all these people know. This will not make us afraid of asking for our rights. We will continue,” he said.
Recounting what transpired, another protester, Abdulmajid Wahab, said security operatives also destroyed one bus and impounded two others.
“They said the leader of the protest should come and bail the two vehicles. And that they want to charge the 10 people to court,” he said.
Meanwhile, scores of anti-corruption organisations have berated the commission for flouting the Child’s Rights Act by revealing the details and identities of minors whose parents were being investigated over alleged corruption.
With specific reference to the case of Yahaya Bello, whose children’s names and other details were reportedly made public by the EFCC, the CSOs expressed shock, arguing that the commission had recklessly exposed the affected children to all manners of dangers.
Addressing a press conference in Lagos yesterday, the groups condemned the EFCC for not considering the safety and protection of the minors as required by both international and national laws, stressing that, “when minors are exposed to public and peer ridicule in the name of investigating their parents, no matter the allegations, such minors are automatically subjected to excruciating trauma that they don’t deserve.”
The press conference/protest was the fourth by the human rights crusaders since they began the struggle to demand that the rule of law prevails in the ex-Kogi Gov/EFCC face-off.
The chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), Debo Adeniran, who led other activists, on a peaceful protest shortly after the press conference, said, “We are here today, as parents who have children in and out of school, to appeal to the conscience of this nation and those in authority. First, permit me to state unequivocally that I cannot see myself either now or at any point of my life to ever align with corrupt public officials or individuals no matter the remuneration or temptation. I can also say the same thing for my colleagues on this Coalition.
“We have passed such elementary stages of amenability to a corrupt environment or people. We will continue to fight them and support anti graft agencies to do their jobs as constitutionally assigned to them by extant laws. We will continue to confront corruption with the same vehemence and resolve as we do against all forms of injustice.
“Make no mistakes about it, this struggle is beyond this Coalition or any individual. It is about saving the spirit and soul of our democracy and rule of law. We are convinced that where law and order are jettisoned under the excuse of political exigencies, society suffers irreparable injustice and damage due to the necessary anarchy that ensues from such a course of action.
“It is in this respect that we think that in the course of investigating and prosecuting corruption, special care must be taken to ensure that innocent minors are not dragged into what they know absolutely nothing about.
“Children cannot be made collateral victims of the alleged indiscretions of their parents even when proven. Law is about justice. Justice is about humanity. Humanity is about our common good as a people. When minors are exposed to public and peer ridicule in the name of investigating their parents, no matter the allegations, such minors are automatically subjected to excruciating trauma that they don’t deserve.
“I know enough of child psychology to understand that in their vulnerable state, they may suffer irreversible trauma when subjected to undeserved pressures that destroy their self-esteem. Unfortunately, this is what we believe the recent action of the EFCC in putting the identities and details of minors whose parents are under investigation for alleged corruption in the case of Kogi State has caused those little kids.”
“They do not deserve that kind of treatment no matter the sins of their parents. We believe that whatever would affect those children in the course of investigation are better left in the safe custody of the Court. And, this is what we have been saying that our courts must be respected and obeyed at all times! Let’s always follow the due processes of law in law enforcement duties,” the coalition stated.