By Tolúlopé Olátúnjí
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused former Kogi State governor ,Yahaya Bello of ridiculing the country’s justice system by evading trial for an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
During a visit to the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Asaba, EFCC acting Zonal Director for Benin, Effa Okim, expressed frustration over Bello’s continued absence from court and failure to submit to arrest.
Despite being declared wanted and placed on an immigration watchlist, Bello remains elusive, allegedly protected by powerful connections.
Okim said:“This is the last question I expected because the shame is on all of us. Is that a question I should answer alone? It’s not me, it is the Federal Republic of Nigeria,”He emphasized that Bello’s evasion is a national disgrace.
The EFCC official urged political leaders to compel Bello to face the charges, stressing the moral failure and embarrassment his actions have caused country.
“That politically-exposed Yahaya Bello, whose crime has been traced to him by 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!”, Okim lamented.
He bemoaned: “Can’t 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? Can’t they call him and tell him, ‘You are disgracing Nigeria’? What are you telling the world? Tell him to go and explain himself like others have done.”
“Where are the ministers? Where are Yahaya Bello’s colleagues, even in his hiding? So, Nigerians can’t tell him ‘This is not fair, go and report; they are not going to kill you’? But people are still eating and dining with him, “ he added.
Questioning the notion of morality before legality, Okim expressed his frustration that no one could summon the former Kogi State governor to report himself to the EFCC.He noted that while some people were supporting Bello, others were criticizing the commission.
Okim called on the media to unite in condemning Bello’s behaviour and demanded that the former governor present himself to the EFCC.
However, the zonal official urged: “The 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.”
The Chairman of the NUJ Delta State Council, Churchill Oyowe, pledged journalists’ support in holding Bello accountable.
