An ex-spokesperson of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Daniel Bwala, has raised concerns over the alleged preferential treatment given to former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Bwala pointed out the disparity in treatment between Bello and crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, who was recently convicted for publicly abusing the Naira.
Bwala criticized the EFCC for what he described as a lack of adherence to the rule of law, labeling the recent press conference held by the commission’s chairman, Ola Olukayode, as a “media trial”.
The EFCC had accused Bello of misappropriating N80 billion among other allegations, with the chairman vowing to resign if he failed to prosecute Bello, whom he accused of evading arrest and prosecution.
Commenting on the situation in an interview with ARISE TV, Bwala characterized the press conference as resembling a theatrical performance, suggesting that the commission’s chairman was engaging in a public discourse resembling a courtroom trial, indirectly allowing Bello an opportunity to evade accountability.
“The scenario played out like a prosecutor delivering his opening statement in a bid to build the case. And who served as the judge? It was the journalists,” Bwala remarked, highlighting the asymmetry in granting Bello a platform to state his case. He likened the proceedings to a trial by the media.
These events prompt questions about the true intentions of the commission – whether it genuinely seeks to prosecute or if it inadvertently facilitates an escape route for the accused,” Bwala pondered.