Professor Nwoke Friday Chijioke, the former Vice President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, has spoken out against the press conference conducted by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), particularly in relation to its discussion of Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State.

Speaking on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, Prof. Chijioke criticized the EFCC's approach, denouncing it as an unfair trial and labelling it as a form of media trial.

He stressed the importance of discretion in such matters, emphasizing that institutions of justice, like the EFCC, should conduct investigations discreetly without involving the media.

His words: ''The EFCC chairman's press conference of yesterday was really uncalled for. That is unfair trial. All these challenges are because of what I would call a media trial.

''An institution of justice should be in a position, especially when you are the investigator, carry out a discrete investigation. You do not need to involve the media.

''For example, the EFCC's chairman interview yesterday was really, really uncalled for. It was uncalled for in the sense that you do not need to accord any privilege to Yahaya Bello.

''The law does not require the according or the giving of privileges to persons who are suspected of having committed an offense. That is one.

''Secondly, the law necessarily does not need, especially in situations of this nature. In corruption cases, you don't necessarily need to make an arrest. You don't need to bring into custody. Because more often than not, in corruption cases, they are determined by documentary evidence.

''If you make out a prima facie case and you have evidence to make out a prima facie case, why don't you file a case in court and serve the accused person? Why would you, in the first instance, perhaps advertise or publicize? Because that is, in the first instance, unfair hearing.''

https://authorityngr.com/2024/04/25/former-vp-of-ecowas-court-berates-efcc-chairman-over-press-briefing-on-yahaya-bello/#:~:text=Professor%20Nwoke%20Friday%20Chijioke%2C%20the,former%20Governor%20of%20Kogi%20State.

Professor Nwoke Friday Chijioke

It's always criticism

E reach to cos the man come Dey form oyibo chairman till his Nigerian wife talk African mentality into him again “resign and know who wan give u kpekus again 😂

That's EFCC's usual style. They engaged in media trial because that is the only thing they appear to have. A camel will pass through the eye of a needle before EFCC can secure conviction of politicians in Nigeria. Akpabio, Uzor Kalu etc are all working as freely and "making laws". Fayose, Obiano are just few of the arrests where EFCC in their characteristic manner conducted media trial but at the end of the day no conviction. Finished people

Alright

It's clear the EFCC chairman don't know anything about his job, the chairman should resign immediately.

Forget the name, these guys in power are connected to certain people, so when certain decisions go against them they don't mind reminding you of previous nice gestures that you haven't returned, so it's time to use your office to talk them out of trouble.... There's something unique about Yorubas (not all though), make noise and no action. EFCC chairman should walk the talk, na so the young man started then and we were hailing him......Oga EFCC chairman do NOT bring the name of the church to disrepute o, do your work with utmost transparency but sadly Nigeria is one of muddiest waters to navigate as a christian leader. You need God's wisdom not I Sabi do am o.......My worry is: how I stole fridge from someone and I call in a pastor to help me arrest everyone that stole the fruits in the fridge. But GOD IS GOD he has a way of doing his things, so I'll rather keep quiet.

Ok

I was just telling a colleague not long ago that this current EFCC chairman seems to be talking too much.

I'm not a fan of Yahaya though.

LegacyB:

It’s really stupid trying to please Nigerians. Now you have left the alleged thief to criticize his pursuers.

You don't get my points. Take for instance few days ago, the chairman was talking about how he went after his own kinsman, Agunloye. He was in another interview saying if he doesn't see Yahaya case to the end he'll do this and that, blah blah... He doesn't need all those unecessary vituperation. Action speaks louder than voice.

Media trial as usual, it would have been better to take the matter to court n use the evidence already gathered. Efcc is good at making noise, we want to see results. Arrest Bello, they should also arrest Ganduje because the evidence is also available instead of doing media trial.

Hmm... That's not correct.

It's Yeye Bello that created the media attention by resisting arrest.

It's not everything you criticize Mr Nwoke

Now it's like corruption fighting back. EFCeeCee must v seen something odd about Yaya Carpenter.
This country ehn, a times it's like crookus enjoy more than gooodu people!
Should people be good or bad?
I m confused like a balablue!

yarimo:
It's clear the EFCC chairman don't know anything about his job

Is this the yari moi moi I know ,abi na another one?

After, EFCC will 'Deny everything' . Of course, we know they may be systematically killing the case.

The EFCC chairman is looking more and more unprofessional . The chairman oof such a sensitive organization odesnt even need to give unecessary interviews. Focus on evodence gathering and building a solid case, he is acting like an agbero who doesnt know his job.

The way things are going doubt this man ill secure a single conviction and i wont be surprised if its eventually exposed that he takes bribes

The EFCC chairman got emotional with Bello's case. The anti graft job doesn't work that way.

Tinubu with his trial and error appointees.

No Be Small Thing ooooo

That coward should resign now.

His men can only break into students hostels and tag them yahoo boy.
If he doesn't resign I will call him a bastard, for now I reserve my comment

BigYash:
Is this the yari moi moi I know ,abi na another one?

EFCC must obey court orders

Media trial is political

Really

This are the people running our Country

yarimo:
EFCC must obey court orders

Since when did Apc started obeying court orders? Yeye Bello and Ef thief thief chairman no be mate.. Presidency go don call him to order..

Ok

Bello is a northern force,it won't be easy dealing with him

Zxcvbnmghtr:
Professor Nwoke Friday Chijioke

The Prof is right though. I have said it in a previous post that right from his senate clearance I had already lost faith in this EFCC chairman. He is not up to the job if you ask me. Very unprofessional and it was evident if you saw his confirmation hearing.