BY NICHOLAS OLUKA
Former Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello’s theatrics and calculated strikes to impress the general public final week about his resolve to honour the invitation of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) are nonetheless contemporary in our reminiscence.
First, the previous governor, who had loudly denied being invited by the EFCC over an alleged N80.2 billion cash laundering offence, recanted and stormed the premises of the anti-graft company in a cavalier method. His swash-buckling strategy to prison summons by the EFCC exhibits a complete lack of discretion and common sense.
How can a fugitive seem in public for the primary time after being declared wished with such impunity? That the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, turned down his give up recreation plan exhibits that the EFCC is a critical, skilled anti-corruption company that will not compromise its operational ideas, even for a wished suspect.
Secondly, Yahaya Bello’s refusal of arrest by the identical company he visited together with his retinue of aides and media propaganda confirmed that he was not able to adjust to the rule of legislation he earlier alluded to. In an announcement circulated broadly within the media on the day the previous governor overtly visited the company headquarters of the EFCC, his media aide, Ohiare Michael said that “the previous governor has nice respect for the rule of legislation and constituted authority”.
The place is that respect when he unleashed terror and violence on officers of the EFCC who went after him the identical day he introduced to the world he was able to honour the invitation of the fee? These accusing the EFCC and its chairman of insincerity and incompetence can now see by means of the gimmick of Bello and his spin medical doctors.
The reality of the matter is that the EFCC acted rightly, properly and professionally by not permitting Yahaya Bello to compromise its operational codes. There are definitely some backend information that is probably not identified to the general public on why he was not taken into custody. Unusual logic and road knowledge would make each Nigerian count on the EFCC to clamp the previous governor into detention however when such a situation didn’t happen, there definitely stays unknown information, info or intelligence foreclosing the expectation of the general public.
The EFCC is an intelligence-driven anti-graft company. Its modus operandi can’t be anticipated to adapt to public surmises on a regular basis. There are points that won’t lend themselves to unusual evaluation. Nigerians’ obligation to the Fee is to proceed to belief its judgment and provide it unalloyed assist on a regular basis.
The general public hysteria about Bello’s escape (?) from detention just isn’t unconnected with the dealing with of the sources of Kogi state whereas he was the chief govt of the state. The general public just isn’t actually offended with the EFCC, it’s offended that Bello’s date with condign punishment is being shifted. The anger can be derived from the truth that, having ignored the invitation to reply all the fees most well-liked towards him, his first look in public ought to have been met with fireplace and brimstone however the EFCC doesn’t function that manner.
Our elders say that at any time when the tongue refuses to take meals into the abdomen, it’s both the meals doesn’t style effectively or there may be an unsettled quarrel between the tongue and the abdomen. On this respect, I feel Bello appears to not have acquitted himself effectively for his give up provide to be so spurned by the EFCC.
So, what different choice is left for the embattled governor? Easy! He ought to present up in courtroom on Wednesday! The cat-and-mouse recreation he has performed with the courtroom ought to finish. By displaying as much as his plea earlier than Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal Excessive Courtroom, Abuja, Bello may be fortunate sufficient to be admitted to bail on the circumstances of the courtroom and finish the lengthy wait that has pitied him towards the EFCC and the judiciary.
It’s needful to state that this new alternative will provide the ex-governor a brand new window of redemption from all of the aggravated damage he has introduced upon himself. Bello ought to heed the voice of purpose and bow to the judiciary as his final route of give up.
Oluka, a public affairs analyst, contributes this piece from Enugu
Views expressed by contributors are strictly private and never of TheCable.
