October 02, (THEWILL) – The former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, is one high-profile politician on the wanted list of the Economic Crimes and Financial Commission (EFCC). Bello’s ordeal began shortly after the end of his second tenure as governor of the confluence state, a few months ago. The anti-graft agency seeks to arrest him and continue his trial on an amended 19-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80.2 billion preferred against him, Ali Bello – current chief of staff to governor Usman Ododo and one Daudu Suleiman. As governor of Kogi state, Bello was said to have owed salaries, pension and arrears of staff. It was reported that many civil servants committed suicide on account of the prevailing hardship at that time.
According to reports, it got to a level when civil servants in the state were deceived with an alert of full salaries while what was actually in the account was half salaries or nothing. He had on several occasions denied all the allegations levelled against him and his government. Bello left no one in doubt that he was in charge of Kogi. He brooked no nonsense and opposition was almost sent packing from the state. A man who wielded political power as if the office of the governor was his family’s inheritance a few months ago is on the run from the long arm of the law. How are the mighty fallen?
Bello was earlier invited by the EFCC for routine questioning to clear his name regarding the said sum of N80.2bn but he has been tactically avoiding the agency. With a clear conscience, they fear no accusation. Therefore, the best Bello should have done to clear his name was to honour the invitation. On the contrary, he continues to use his position and connections to frustrate his arrest and trial. Former Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose voluntarily turned himself in after the expiration of his tenure. He was detained, bailed and nobody could possibly explain the status of that case as the man walks freely today.
After hiding for months, Bello decided to turn himself in but rather in a grand style. He appeared at the EFCC’s office accompanied by Usman Ododo – the governor, who is his political son, friends and politicians. In fact, Bello was technically led to the EFCC under the immunity of the governor. A statement signed by Ohiare Michael, Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, said: “the former governor has finally honoured the invitation extended to him by the EFCC. The decision was made after consultations with his family, legal team and political allies, adding the details of Bello’s engagement with the operatives of the anti-graft agency would be disclosed later. Ohiare prayed; “it is our hope that the commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Anti-graft agency in response dismissed the claims by the former governor that he honoured the invitation of the commission and specifically said the former governor remains wanted for alleged N80.2bn money laundering charges. Dele Oyewale – spokesperson of the agency further revealed that “media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody. Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2 billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.”
The anti-graft agency wondered why someone who had been declared wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest would be sent an invitation. The ongoing dramatisation of the invitation, arrest and trial of Yahaya Bello by the EFCC and or Bello himself is not given at all in the eyes of the discerning public. Bello was received at the premises of EFCC by Michael Nzekwe – Chief of Staff to the chairman of the commission. The only opportunity EFCC least expected on Bello presented itself but the commission bulked. Was it deliberate?
One wondered what stopped the commission from taking him in immediately. Yahaya Bello’s immunity ended months ago, therefore, the fact that Governor Ododo accompanied him was immaterial and confers no such status on him anymore. Bello might be guilty as charged but the anti-graft agency should learn to be professional in discharging its duties. The problem with EFCC is their penchant for media glitz and over-dramatisation of fraud cases against some politicians. Due diligence is one key factor deliberately missing in the investigation and prosecution of some high-profile cases. The agency chose the paparazzi trial instead of providing facts and evidence of the law to drive home their legal points and arguments. This has led to the acquittals of many who ordinarily should be behind bars.
One is tempted to believe that; the shoddy, hasty investigation, arraignment and prosecution of suspects is a game intentionally devised to lose cases and let those involved off the hook as if the court and the law did. Earlier, EFCC had in a failed attempt to arrest Bello cordoned off streets leading to his home in Abuja. It took the agency more than seven wasted productive hours of waiting without arresting Bello. The agency only resorted to kicking the air when it was alleged that Governor Usman Ododo arrived to facilitate Bello’s escape. The agency accused Ododo of interference and of taking Bello away under the cover of his immunity. In fact, nothing could have stopped EFCC from gaining entry into Bello’s house if they had wanted to effect his arrest before Ododo’s arrival. The EFCC was not asleep when Ododo trekked or drove inside the residence of the former governor. And while Ododo was on his way out, nobody among officials of EFCC could confirm if the former governor was in the car alleged to have whisked him away. This senseless narrative cannot sit well in the public discourse.
The same EFCC which invaded the residence of Rochas Okorocha with impunity and forcefully removed the roof of his house to gain entry in the dead of the night was the same agency which waited long hours on the street of Abuja for an accused without knocking at his gate. The idea of blocking the residential street of an accused as they had done to others before Bello was one old-fashioned approach EFCC has to review. It confers on the accused undue advantage in the court of public opinion. This Gestapo-style more often than not serves as mere entertainment more than the purpose of law and crime-fighting it was meant to serve.
It is an offence punishable by law to evade arrest. Therefore, it is obligatory for Bello to honour himself and the law. However, EFCC has not shown the desired seriousness and determination needed in prosecuting and winning this case. Although Bello was not a shining example of the best of a former governor in Nigeria, a saint among the country’s political leaders cannot be found near decency either. Almost if not all of them have robbed the states they governed dry and the dossiers of their fraudulent deals are carefully kept closely in the chest of investigative authorities and monitored for prompt action when necessary.
The urgent and consistent calls for young people to take up leadership positions has been dwarfed by Yahaya Bello’s poor and embarrassing stewardship. The former governor was found complicit in a simple issue such as the payment of salaries. Bello who saw nothing wrong in throwing his weight around and unleashing political power against his perceived opponents has now deployed every ounce of energy in him to fight back and save his face. Bello was aware he topped the list of former governors whose only saving grace from being prosecuted while serving was their immunity. When the transient political power at his disposal was conferred on another, he disappeared from the public scene for fear of arrest, disgrace and prosecution.
The embarrassing case of Yahaya Bello should serve as a lesson to those occupying or aspiring to occupy political offices. Be a genuine selfless-servant leader whose government is beneficial to the people. Avoid corrupt tendencies and play by the rules. No matter how politically powerful one thinks one is, descent from the throne is a matter of time and tide. To pull through its mandate of fighting graft, the EFCC should be thorough and diligent in investigation and prosecution. The culture of media trial and attendant razzmatazz should take the back seat.
Sunday Onyemaechi Eze
