The Senate of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), has called on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to stop the media trial of the former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello over an alleged N80 billion fraud.
Afeez Babatunde, the President of NANS Senate who stated this in Lokoja on Thursday said the media harassment of Bello by the EFCC negates the principle of justice and fairness.
Babatunde spoke to newsmen after a one -day sitting of NANS Senate at the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
Babatunde, reminded EFCC that Bello is still presumed innocent of the allegation of fraud level against until a competent court of law decide otherwise.
He chided the EFCC for treating former Governor Bello like a common criminal when he is yet to be found guilty of the fraud allegation against him.
The President of NANS Senate therefore urged the EFCC to respect the rule of law and stop engaging in political persecution and media trials of Bello or any other suspect.
“EFCC should as a matter of urgency stop the media harassment of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
“In as much that Students understand that EFCC has right to perform their duty according to the law, they are also guided by the same law.
”EFCC should do everything within the ambit of the law so that it won’t look as if they have personal issues with the former Governor of Kogi State.
“We don’t want a bad precedent to be laid in this Country,” he stated.
According to Babatunde, the NANS Senate during its sitting also passed a vite of confidence on Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the incumbent governor of Kogi State.
Afeez said : ” We are passing a vote of confidence on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his support to students, and his achievements in educational development in Kogi State.
“We are also thanking him for giving us the opportunity to come to the State for this sitting.
“The Kogi State Governor provided an enabling environment for all the Students who came across the 36 states of the Country for this maiden sitting.”
Babatunde called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to as a matter of urgency declare a state of emergency on security across campuses of tertiary institutions in the Country.
He also called on President Tinubu to put an end to the lingering fuel scarcity in the country and also improve electricity supply in the country.
The NANS Senate President promised to engage all stakeholders on issues affecting Nigerians Students.
“There are three stages of struggles. Consultation, consolidation before confrontation.
“We have consulted, now we are in the stage of consolidation. So if government refuses to do things we want and make life easier for the Students of this country, we will confront them fully in all the 36 States of the Country.
“We also resolved that, the suspension of the Student Union Government by University of Benin management should be lifted.
“All institutions in the country that are not running a democratic government of the Student Union should as a matter of urgency go and conduct election for their SUG excos.
“That is what the law says,” he said.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
