By Olasunkanmi Akoni
The Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) has said that former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, stays harmless till confirmed responsible by a courtroom of regulation.
The Fee careworn that Bello’s trial remains to be ongoing and that it’s solely the duty of the courtroom—not the EFCC—to find out his guilt or innocence.
This clarification adopted public criticism over Bello’s declaration of curiosity in contesting the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in 2027. Recall that Bello is being prosecuted by the EFCC earlier than Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal Excessive Courtroom sitting in Maitama, Abuja, over the alleged diversion and misappropriation of Kogi State funds amounting to N80.2 billion throughout his tenure as governor.
Talking on Monday whereas showing on Come up Tv’s Morning Present, monitored by Vanguard, the EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwuajeren, defined that felony prosecution in Nigeria takes time and includes the presentation of witnesses and proof earlier than the courtroom.
Uwuajeren stated the EFCC is presently presenting witnesses and documentary proof within the case, stressing that the end result shall be decided solely by the courtroom.
He famous that beneath the Nigerian Structure, any particular person standing trial is presumed harmless till confirmed responsible, including that Bello’s political ambitions or standing inside his get together don’t have any bearing on the costs filed in opposition to him.
In keeping with Uwuajeren, the EFCC has no real interest in get together politics and stays targeted on diligently prosecuting the case earlier than the courtroom.
He reaffirmed the Fee’s dedication to making sure justice for each the prosecution and the defence, stating that nothing has gone amiss within the dealing with of the matter.
“One factor we have to perceive is how felony prosecution works in Nigeria. It takes time, and as we converse, the trial remains to be ongoing earlier than the courtroom,” he stated.
“We’re presenting witnesses and proof. It’s not the Fee that can determine the case; it’s the courtroom.
“All we’re required to do is to faithfully prosecute the costs and make sure that, on the finish of the day, each the prosecution and the defence get justice.
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