By Austin Ogwuda
NEWLY-Posted acting Zonal Director, Benin Zonal Command of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Effa I. Okim says Nigeria as a country should be ashamed of itself regarding the shenanigan playing out over the refusal of the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello to honour the Commission’s summons.
Okim dropped this bombshell when he paid a courtesy visit to the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria on Tuesday, towards strengthening existing relationship and collaboration with critical stakeholders to the Commission.
The young ebullient, audacious EFCC Director who was visibly angry when asked a question about the goings-on between his Commission and the run- away former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello if it was not politically motivated.
He cut in immediately and said, “this is least question I expect because the shame is for all of us (Nigerians).
Is that a question I should answer alone, is not me, is a Federal Republic of Nigeria; a political exposed person (Bello) whose crime has been traced to him by allegation and had been invited by EFCC to come and explain and for months he is acting drama and we are all here wanting to ask questions. The shame is our (Nigeria) own shame.
“Where has morality gone to before legality that we can’t summon that man (Bello) and tell him go and report but what are we writing: some people are supporting him, some people are criticizing the Commission.
“Where are the Ministers, where are his (Yahaya Bello) colleagues (governors) even in his hiding. So Nigerians can’t tell him this is not fair, go and report that they are not going to kill you but people are still eating with him, dinning with him and you (Reporter) are coming to ask me question.
Are you fair to me? Who are my?
“The problem is our own problem that bothers on our (Nigeria) image. Our children are watching their parents behave like children.
The truth has vanished, I wonder even in Animal Farm this will not happen that a man that was part of the system that was a custodian of our culture, rules and laws can behave like this and you are asking question.
“The Media”, he went on, “should come out for the first time to harmonize, be one criticise that action forget about prosecution tell him to make himself available, we are shaming ourselves, all of us.
“The Criminal Justice system has been ridiculed and because we (EFCC) respect the Law, we want to go by the process, we are inhibited that does not make us weak.
“Can’t we catch him, we can, but do we go all out to catch him, do we need to do that when he has his masters. Can’t they (masters ) call him and tell him you are disgracing Nigeria. What are you telling the world; tell him to go and explain himself like others have done “, he added.
Photo caption: The EFCC acting Director, Benin Zonal Command, ACE 1 Effa I. Okim (left) in a warn handshake with Comrade Churchill Oyowe, Chairman of NUJ Delta State Council during the visit.