Phrank Shaibu, special advisor to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has taken a swipe at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its handling of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s recent visit to its headquarters.
Bello, who is facing 19-count charges of money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion, allegedly strolled into the EFCC office unattended to, only for the commission to later storm his residence in search of him.
Shaibu in a critique posted on social media joked about Bello’s supposed “juju man” rendering him invisible to the commission’s scrutiny.
Shaibu said, “.@yahayabello’s juju man must be laughing his way to the bank right about now! 🍃 How delightful it must feel to convince the fugitive governor that his powerful “otumokpo” would make him completely invisible—not just to human eyes, but even to the telescopic & microscopic scrutiny of the #efcc 🦅.
“Imagine the scene: the juju man, with a mischievous grin, whispers, “It’s easy, my friend. Just wear a pristine white caftan, tuck the “otumokpo” into your cap, and stroll confidently with the sitting governor. Take a few photos for good measure, then walk out, untouched and unseen. Nothing do you!”
“But there’s more. “Ah yes,” continues the juju man, “the eagle will swoop down on the governor’s residence later that night, searching for you after reading of your visit in the media. But tell me, how can those who couldn’t find you in broad daylight hope to discover you in the cover of darkness? Now, drink the black fura and “kulikuli” I gave you—it’ll seal the charm.”
“A cloak of shadows, a sip of secrets. What a game!
“What a time to be alive in Nigeria. 🇳🇬
fugitivegovernor #supportefcc ”
Recall that on Wednesday, Bello’s team said the former governor voluntarily visited the headquarters to clear his name.
However, the spokesperson of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, countered Bello’s team’s claim.
Late Wednesday evening, operatives of the EFCC stormed the Kogi Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, in an attempt to arrest the former governor.
According to Bello’s media office, EFCC operatives fired shots sporadically in the air during the raid.
Ohiare Michael, Bello’s media director, condemned the EFCC’s actions, stating that the former governor had made himself available for interrogation.
He said, “It has come to our notice that people suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello. They were shooting sporadically.
“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily earlier today but the commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount a Gestapo-like attack on the Kogi State Government facility in Asokoro.”
The statement continued: “We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him. “Tonight’s attack was needless as the former Governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation.
“The EFCC had no question to ask Alhaji Yahaya Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him. “This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they were fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption.
“This action reflects much more than the fight against corruption.
“We will keep Nigerians posted.”