The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) has described Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC’s) purported freezing of Benue State Government accounts as unwarranted and totally unconstitutional.
The Chairman of the Forum, Gov. Abdulaziz Yari, expressed the governors’ position while chatting with State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Yari, who is also Zamfara State Governor, pointed out given the security situation in Benue, it was not politically wise to cripple the state financially.
The Governor said: “If EFCC freezes the accounts of any state government, Benue or anywhere else, I think it is unconstitutional, it is not right, because you are shutting down government.
“Government must spend, more especially Benue where there are issues of insecurity. So, we do not know why the EFCC took the action. I do not think it is correct, but if it is correct, then my own point of view is wrong.
“But I believe this government will not sit down and oversee unlawful operations happening from the security agencies. From what happened yesterday, someone can understand that this government is following due process and laws of Nigeria. EFFC’s action in Benue is something that should be reversed”, Yari added.
Speaking on Tuesday’s blockade of the National Assembly by the Directorate of State Security (DSS) agents, Yari said that the incident was unfortunate, pointing out however that the sacking of the DSS boss by government has demonstrated to the international community the aversion of the Federal Government to that act of lawlessness.
The Governors’ chairman recalled that in 2011 and 2014 similar incidents happened but no serious action was taken by the then government.
He assured that the present administration would not allow any illegality by any of the law enforcement agencies.
EFCC had on Tuesday frozen Benue State’s account on allegations of mismanagement of the bailout funds by the Gov. Samuel Ortom-led government.
