Anti-Corruption CSOs Slam HEDA Over Calls for Yahaya Bello's Arrest »

A coalition of over 120 anti-corruption Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has condemned a recent call by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), for the arrest of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. The coalition described HEDA’s demand as a “display of egregious ignorance” and an “insidious disregard for the rule of law.”

In a press statement issued on Thursday, the coalition criticized HEDA for its insistence on the arrest of Bello, particularly given that the former governor had recently complied with a request from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by voluntarily visiting their headquarters to address allegations against him.

The coalition, led by spokesperson Comrade Olufemi Lawson and five other CSO leaders, emphasized that the real issue was not Bello’s refusal to cooperate, but rather the EFCC’s inaction. “HEDA’s appeal for the forceful arrest of Mr. Bello while ignoring the EFCC’s failure to act is hypocritical,” the statement read. The group further noted that this approach undermined the judicial process, especially as Bello’s case is currently before multiple courts, including the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The coalition accused HEDA of promoting “executive lawlessness” and cited the group’s previous actions, including allegedly pressuring former EFCC chairman Abdul Rasheed Bawa to ignore lawful court orders. According to the coalition, this history of lawlessness contributed to Bawa’s eventual dismissal by President Bola Tinubu.

“The politicization of the case against Bello by the EFCC has complicated legal proceedings, and HEDA’s insistence on a forceful arrest undermines the judicial process,” the statement added.

The coalition also urged the new EFCC chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, to resist pressure from groups like HEDA that could jeopardize ongoing anti-corruption cases. The CSOs reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that justice is pursued through legal and transparent processes, rejecting what they described as “sensationalist calls for unlawful arrests.”

The statement concluded with a warning that the coalition would expose the misuse of civil society organizations by individuals aiming to erode public trust in the anti-corruption movement.

The press release was signed by leaders of several prominent organizations, including Dr. Dapo Oluwole of the Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN) and Comrade Declan Ihekhaire of Activists for Good Governance.