According to Independent Nigeria, Michael Aondoakaa, Nigeria’s former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, has given his perspective on the current investigation being conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. Speaking on Arise TV, Aondoakaa drew from his own experience while in office, recalling a similar case with Orji Kalu where the EFCC was eager to proceed with an arrest despite existing legal constraints.
Aondoakaa emphasized the importance of adhering to legal processes, particularly respecting court orders. He recounted advising the EFCC to seek the vacation of a court order before taking further action against Orji Kalu, underscoring the necessity of following established legal frameworks to maintain the integrity of law enforcement actions.
The former minister’s comments come at a crucial time as the EFCC navigates the complexities of high-profile political investigations. His advice serves as a reminder to the commission and other law enforcement agencies of the importance of due process, especially in cases that attract significant public and political interest. This approach not only upholds the rule of law but also ensures that justice is administered fairly and without prejudice.
He said: “I had a similar situation when I was a Minister of Justice involving Orji Kalu. Of course Orji Kalu got orders and EFCC felt strongly they should arrest him. Well, I had sympathy with them but I followed the law. I said, look, there is a court order, go and vacate the order, and they went to vacate the order.”