N80bn Fraud: Yahaya Bello Has Ridiculed Nigerian Justice System, Shielded By Colleagues – EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had disclosed that ex-Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, had ridiculed the Nigerian justice system by failing to present himself for trial in court.
Osun Defender reports that Bello was accused of N80.2bn fraud and facing trial.
The EFCC is having a running legal battle with the ex-governor over alleged N80.2bn fraud.
Following a failed attempt to arrest him and his repeated absence from court for his arraignment, the EFCC declared Bello wanted, while the Nigerian Immigration also placed the governor on a watchlist.
Speaking on Wednesday during a familiarisation visit to the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Asaba, Delta State capital, EFCC acting Zonal Director, Benin Zonal Command, Mr Effa Okim, claimed that the ex-governor was being shielded by the system.
READ: Yahaya Bello: Nigerians Demand EFCC Bossโ Resignation Over Failure To Arrest Ex-Kogi Gov
Okim said beyond legality, there was a moral aspect of the case.
โThis is the last question I expected because the shame is on all of us. Is that a question I should answer alone? Itโs not me, it is the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
โThat politically-exposed Yahaya Bello, whose crime has been traced to him by (sic) allegation and has been invited by EFCC to come and explain, and for months he is acting drama and we are all here wanting to ask questions! The shame is our own shame!
โCanโt we catch him? We can, but do we go all out to catch him? Do we need to do that when he has his masters? Canโt they call him and tell him, โYou are disgracing Nigeriaโ? What are you telling the world? Tell him to go and explain himself like others have done.
โWhere are the ministers? Where are Yahaya Belloโs colleagues, even in his hiding? So, Nigerians canโt tell him โThis is not fair, go and report; they are not going to kill youโ? But people are still eating and dining with him.โ
He added, โWhere has morality gone before legality that we canโt summon that man and tell him to go and report himself to the EFCC? Some persons are writing, supporting him, while some are criticizing the commission.
โThe problem is our own problem that borders on Nigeriaโs image. Our children are watching their parents behave like children.
โTo me, the truth has vanished. Even in Animal Farm, this will not happen, that a man who was part of the system that was a custodian of our culture, rules, and laws can behave like this and you are asking questions.
โThe media should come out for the first time to harmonise, criticise that action and forget about prosecution but tell him to make himself available; thereafter we know what to do.โ
Okim said the criminal justice system had been ridiculed by the actions of Bello, โAnd because we respect the law, we want to go by the process, we are inhibited that does not make us weak.โ
