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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Commissioner of Information in Kogi State, Kingsley Fanwo, has denied that reports that Governor Usman Ododo helped his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, beat security operatives who wanted to arrest him.
Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had laid a siege to Bello’s Abuja residence on Wednesday, where they wanted to arrest him.
But Ododo arrived at the scene and hours after he drove out, there were reports that Bello had sneaked out with him.
But speaking on Channels Television programme, ‘Sunrise Daily,’ on Friday, Fanwo, who also served as commissioner under Bello, said Ododo is committed to upholding the laws of the country, including respecting its legal processes.
Fanwo rejected the anti-graft agency’s claims, describing them as baseless and product of an organised disinformation campaign.
“Governor Ododo did not assist in Bello’s departure from his residence; the EFCC’s claims are misinformation aimed at furthering their objectives. Bello is not evading anyone; the existing court injunction protects his fundamental rights,” he said.
He argued that the former governor is not trying to evade arrest, referring to a Kogi State High Court injunction that protects Bello from harassment by the anti-graft agency.
Fanwo criticised EFCC over the allegations, and questioned the agency’s certainty about Bello’s whereabouts.
He said Ododo remained a law-abiding leader who respects the rule of law and the Constitution of the country.