Yahaya Bello must have his day in court

By Dele Oyewale

It is public knowledge that a former governor of Kogi State,  Mr. Yahaya Bello had made several unsuccessful attempts to throw spanners in his ongoing trial through some  irresponsible and utterly rascally efforts.  The appropriate place of surrender would be before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja,  before whom his legal team had undertaken to produce him to answer to the 18-count charges of  money laundering preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Yahaya Bello should be more interested in clearing his name than playing the victim and crying persecution, where none exists. To even insinuate that he was the target of a phantom assassination attempt because the EFCC  made efforts to effect his arrest at the Kogi State Governor’s Lodge where he had been hiding, is preposterous. It is the first time in the Commission’s more than two decades existence that such a jejune claim would be made. This is no more than scaremongering, intended to scandalise the Commission.

But EFCC is not deterred by this, and other shenanigans by the ex-governor.  The Commission remains committed to ensuring that the law takes its course in the money laundering charges already filed against Yahaya Bello in Court.

EFCC is eager to engage the former governor in the courtroom where the avalanche of evidence so painstakingly assembled can be presented and arguments marshalled for justice to be served to all parties involved in this saga.  The true test of Yahaya Bello’s willingness to abide by the law in the criminal proceedings instituted against him at the Federal High Court Abuja by the EFCC, is to present himself to the court in obedience to the order of Justice  Nwite. His presence in court is the only step  that will  convince Nigerians that his touted submission to the EFCC which was widely reported in the media on September 18, was not a stunt

Till date,  Bello is yet to take his plea in the alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges preferred against him before Justice Nwite.   His invasion of the corporate headquarters of the Commission with a retinue of security details, hand-to-hand cahoots and carriage with a sitting governor having immunity,  unwarranted media blitz, scripted sleight of hands unknown to the public and other backend intelligence available to the Commission, compelled a tactical rebuff of his touted surrender offer.

The incident of Wednesday,  September 18, 2024 regarding the orchestrated antics of  the former governor to surrender himself to the EFCC, having denied being invited by the Commission and operating underground as a fugitive for several months,  expectedly raised concerns and curiosity of many Nigerians who had been waiting frantically for his arrest and trial.

As a responsible anti-graft agency, the EFCC is sensitive to public opinions, especially if they are in tandem with its operational codes and Standard Operating Procedures.  However, no hysteria, blackmail, sentiment or coordinated attacks in some section of the media would make the Commission compromise its integrity.   Yahaya Bello’s matter cannot define the success or failure of the works of the EFCC,  as the scorecard of the Commission is remarkable and undeniably impressive.  The EFCC is not unaware of the fact that corruption fights back.   Bello must have his day in court, no matter the recourse to blackmail, appeal to emotive public sympathy or acts of brigandage

Within the year, the Commission had arraigned three former ministers, two ex-governors, several top government officials, captains of industries, internet fraudsters and many more would be arraigned in due course.   Every former governor, minister, head of ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs being investigated by the Commission would soon be  charged to court.   The EFCC is not running a circus show.  Corruption issues should not be turned into a theatre of the absurd.  Those who harbor a criminal suspect should know that the act is also a criminal offence which is also punishable in law.

While the EFCC is assuring the public of its unfaltering focus and commitment to continue to tackle every issue of economic and financial crime without fear or favour, there is need to remind Nigerians that corruption does fight back and caution and restraint should always be exercised in responding to the operational mechanics and dynamics of the Commission.    The EFCC would continue with its no sacred cow policy, no matter whose ox is gored.

Dele Oyewale is the Head, Media & Publicity for EFCC.