CSO Issues 14-Day Ultimatum to IGP for Arrest of Yahaya Bello

The Centre for Social and Economic Rights (CSER), a civil society organization, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), demanding the arrest of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. The former governor has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged corruption and abuse of office after ignoring invitations from the anti-graft agency.

In a statement released by its executive director, Nelson Ekujumi, CSER reminded the IGP of his statutory role as a member of the EFCC board, emphasizing that he is obligated by law to support the agency’s efforts. The group pointed out that the IGP is required to deploy resources and personnel to aid the EFCC’s operations, including facilitating the arrest of individuals wanted by the agency.

CSER’s petition calls on the IGP to arrest Yahaya Bello and either hand him over to the court or the EFCC for proper investigation and arraignment. Failure to comply with this request, according to Ekujumi, would leave the organization with no choice but to seek an Order of Mandamus, a legal directive that would compel the IGP to fulfill his duties.

The petition, titled ‘Demand for the Arrest and Handing Over of the Former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello’, was dated September 30, 2024. In it, CSER stressed its commitment to transparency and accountability in Nigeria, urging the IGP to uphold the principles of the Nigeria Police Establishment Act, 2020, which mandates cooperation with other security agencies and prioritizes accountability and transparency.

The group highlighted that the EFCC had secured a bench warrant for Yahaya Bello’s arrest, which was issued following a court application. On April 18, 2024, the EFCC publicly declared Bello wanted, after he failed to respond to charges leveled against him. The Court of Appeal had also upheld the arrest warrant, confirming that the former governor was aware of the charges and deliberately evaded legal proceedings.

CSER further criticized the actions of police officers who, according to the organization, have been providing security to Yahaya Bello, effectively shielding him from arrest. The group argued that this behavior contradicts the IGP’s legal obligations as a member of the EFCC board, which exists to ensure collaboration between the police and the anti-graft agency.

In closing, CSER warned that if the IGP does not arrest Yahaya Bello within 14 days, it will proceed with legal action, seeking a court order to force the police to fulfill their responsibilities.