***condemns campaigns to remove chair

***Urges Bello to be courageous to face charges

A Civil Society group, Vanguard for Credible Representation has raise the alarm over plots in some quarters to remove the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Olanipekun Olukayode from office.

The chairman of the group, Comrade Akintoye Oyeniyi while addressing a press Conference in Abuja on Wednesday accused some elements in the Northern part of the country for masterminding the persistent push to remove the EFCC boss from office in their believe that the Chairmanship position of the anti-graft agency is the “birthright” of the North.
He said before the emergence of Comrade Akintoye the North have been holding sway in rotating the position among themselves as if it is their exclusive preserve.
The chairman fingered those at the receiving end of the redefined war against graft in the country by the new czar as being behind the plots.
He condemned the attacks on the EFCC boss, cautioning strongly that push for sectional interest portends grave danger for Nigeria’s fragile body polity and unity, stressing that it could also diminish the integrity of the fight against corruption in the country.

“The Vanguard for Credible Representation seizes the occasion to call on the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello to toe the part of honour by making himself available to face charges of alleged corruption leveled against him by the EFCC
Akintoye Oyeniyi cautioned the immediate past Kogi Governor to desists from the antics of deploying delay tactics to hide from the law.

“We are all aware that the leadership of the country’s focal anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has experienced shake-up since the assumption of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in office on May 29, 2023.

“This shake-up began on June 14, 2023, when the President suspended the then EFCC Chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa indefinitely as the anti-graft agency boss, to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office following weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.
“Consequent upon the suspension, the President subsequently directed the Director of Operations at the Commission, Mr. Abdulkarim Chukkol, to step in as Acting Chairman, a position the Borno State-born administrator served in for four months before the President, on October 12, 2023, eventually appointed Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede as the substantive Chairman.”
Explaining further he said the anti-graft agency of recent, has justified the confidence reposed in it through its newly invigorated war on corruption on all fronts.
He said that renewed vigor which has not only yielded more repatriation of stolen funds and convictions but ultimately geared towards rehabilitation of convicted offenders and enlightenment of Nigerians, to turn away from actions inimical to the economic prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 
He express sadness that while everyone is expected to appreciate and stand behind the new EFCC in its renewed commitment and approach to the war against corruption some corrupt elements now feeling the heat are surreptitiously weaving machinations, including  politics of geographical divide, to remove the new EFCC czar.
He said the RFCC boss and his team have brought on board courage, fecundity of fresh ideas, vision and clear-cut focus to pilot the affairs of the agency for national development.
“It is pertinent to inform the public that this ploy will not only bring about direct chaos on the fragile body polity of the country but also a solid support for corruption to continue to feed on our country’s economy and thereby exacerbate the already exorbitant living in Nigeria. 

He called on the EFCC not to be distracted by the shenanigans of the few corrupt elements, but to press on with the current energy, resolve and enthusiasm in its pursuit of efficiency in its statutory mandate.
“W are equally sending notice to those behind the plot, to drop their ploy and instead, repent and join other Nigerians and the government in giving necessary support to stem corruption in our country. 

“For us at VFCR, we shall continue to mobilise Nigerians in support of the Commission on its fights against corrupt practices and appropriately caution it if ever and whenever it is found wanting.”

***Calls for Expanded Anti-Corruption efforts to involve other former governors, ministers

The efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to apprehend and prosecute former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been applauded by former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All-Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank.

Speaking in Abuja, Frank urged the Commission to broaden its investigation to include other allegedly corrupt individuals, particularly former governors, ministers, and public officials associated with both the past administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari and the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Frank reiterated the importance of extending the probe to avoid giving the impression that the EFCC’s actions against Bello were merely a witch hunt.

While commending the EFCC’s steps to hold Bello accountable, Frank highlighted the need for equal scrutiny of other individuals accused of corruption.

“We commend the EFCC for its efforts in pursuing Yahaya Bello’s prosecution. However, we urge the agency to also investigate other former governors, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, whose alleged corrupt practices have been reported to the EFCC,” said Frank.

Otherwise, their efforts to apprehend Bello and bring him to trial would appear to be a deliberate and malicious witch hunt simply because he contested the Presidential primary election of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) against President Bola Tinubu.

Furthermore, we have yet to witness the arrest of several allegedly corrupt public officials who served under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, despite petitions against them before the EFCC.

These individuals include former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom; former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, among others.

Additionally, there are those like former personal assistant to President Buhari, Tunde Sabiu; former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Bashir Jamoh; immediate past Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami; the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Dr. Mele Kyari; and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who remain unprosecuted.

Similarly, former Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Zainab Ahmed; former Director General of the Nigerian Ports Authority and current aide to President Tinubu, Hadiza Bala-Usman; former Governor of Ebonyi State and present Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; and former security chiefs who are the subject of petitions before the EFCC continue to evade prosecution.

Frank, representing the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) in East Africa and the Middle East, emphasized that by bringing these individuals to court to face trial, the EFCC would demonstrate to Nigerians that their actions against Bello are not politically motivated.

He said: “Someone like Wike has a petition against him before the EFCC, but they have never invited him to defend allegations against him. Is it because some of these people supported and campaigned for Tinubu to emerge President in 2023 that makes them untouchable?”

He acknowledged that the EFCC’s action against Bello is a positive step in the fight against corruption. However, he emphasized the need for the EFCC to show the same level of commitment in addressing allegations against other corrupt individuals.

He added: “For instance, we have seen the recent revelation of the Governor of Abia State, Alex Oti, against the former governor of the State, Okezie Ikpeazu, concerning humongous money paid for the construction of a non-existent airport and other bogus projects by the immediate past administration in Abia state.

The activist, who hails from Bayelsa, asserted that the failure to prosecute former governors and ministers accused of corruption would undermine the credibility of the anti-corruption efforts.

He criticized the EFCC for appearing selective in its prosecutions, targeting only those who may not be in favour with the President.

He pointed out that individuals who support the current administration seem to evade prosecution while those critical of it are pursued. He warned that if the EFCC continues to neglect its duty to investigate allegations against individuals like Nyesom Wike, they will make the petitions public to shed light on their actions while in office and compel the EFCC to take action.

Hence, we urge the EFCC to demonstrate its commitment to combating corruption in Nigeria by actively pursuing all individuals accused of corrupt practices, not just a select few. If the EFCC truly aims to gain the trust of both Nigerians and the international community in the fight against corruption, it must extend its investigations to all relevant parties mentioned. Additionally, we demand swift prosecution of those implicated in corruption allegations to ensure accountability and fairness.

Furthermore, we call upon the EFCC to cease the harassment and intimidation of individuals like Yahaya Bello. Doing so will signal to the public that the EFCC is dedicated to upholding justice and integrity in Nigeria, thereby restoring faith in the anti-corruption efforts of the current administration.
END

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, has sent a message of congratulations to Nigeria’s Tunde Onakoya for the feay in setting a new world chess record and etching the country on the world map.
The Nigerian chess champion has broken the world record for the longest chess marathon after playing unbeaten for more than 58 hours in New York City’s Times Square to raise money for underprivileged children.
Akpabio’s congratulatory message ehich was signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh and made available on Sunday in Abuja described Onakoya’s achievement as typical of the audacity of Nigeria’s spirit of determination, hard work and resilience.
“My joy knows no bounds as I celebrate this young and adroit Nigerian, Tunde Onakoya, who is imbued with the Nigerian spirit of determination, hard work and resilience and has elevated our dear country in the comity of nations.
“On behalf of the Senate and the Nigerian National Assembly, my constituents in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District and my family, I heartily congratulate and rejoice with Tunde Onakoya on this onerous achievement.
“I followed closely while the competition was on and I must commend the brand-new world champion, Tunde for remaining steadfast despite the challenges he had during the journey.
“I am happy that the dream behind this laudable project is to raise funds for indigent African children to also, explore the opportunities that abound in the game of chess. This is a good way of grooming other champions and taking many children off the streets.
“I wish to use this opportunity to advise Nigerians, especially the youth to borrow a leaf from our latest hero- never to give up when they embark on a legitimate enterprise, no matter the obstacles. With youth like Tunde, Nigeria has greater hope to attain her potential”.