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Tag: Yahaya Bello

  • Your government was marred with killings, corruption – Edwin Clark knocks Yahaya Bello

    Your government was marred with killings, corruption – Edwin Clark knocks Yahaya Bello

    Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark has advised the former Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello to give himself up to the authorities.

    According to Clark who is the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, (PANDEF), said Bello’s time as governor of Kogi state was marred with corruption and political killings.

    The elder statesman who appeared on Arise Television on Thursday, said the former Governor was just being stubborn after putting up rough governance.

    Clark Said “Yahaya Bello is just being stubborn. He has been living very very rough…having a very rough government, corruption, killing of people in the place during elections and so on,”

    “There’s time for everything and it has come for him to answer questions. He should go to court. He should go to court to answer the substance of the case, where did he get the money from?

    “Is it true or not that the money he paid to the American school belongs to him or belongs to the government of Kogi State?

    “The behaviour of the new Governor shows Yahaya Bello is in power for the third time. Ahmed Ododo is just running after him.

    “I just want to plead with Ododo to do the needful so that the youth in this country will have something to fall upon.”
  • Segun Arinze reacts to back and forth between Yahaya Bello and EFCC

    Segun Arinze reacts to back and forth between Yahaya Bello and EFCC

    Nollywood actor Segun Arinze has reacted to the back and forth between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

    According to the thespian, EFCC should ensure that it follows due process in prosecuting the ex-Governor.

    The anti-graft agency is prosecuting Bello alongside his nephew, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80 billion.

    Reacting in a video message shared via his Instagram account, Arinze said the ongoing social media trial of Bello was unnecessary.

    He urged the EFCC to follow due process by allowing the law take its course.

    He said, “I have been observing the things that have been going on with the EFCC and Yahaya Bello saga and it has been quite dramatic.

    “First, the EFCC came out with a lot of statements on social media and in the news about the bulged arrest of Yahaya Bello and of course, the amount of dollars he paid into his children’s school account. It’s not enough to say the money came from the government but if it’s substantiated, it’s damming.

    “I’m not saying Yahaya Bello is innocent or guilty. I don’t even have much details about that. What I’m bother about is social media. If social media haven’t dragged you before, you won’t understand. Too many opinions on social media with all the feeds coming out from the EFCC and generally, it just bring a lot of negativity on both sides.

    “What I’m saying is, social media parliament is not the Nigerian judiciary. It can’t make any decision. As I am made to understand, the case is already in court. So my advice is that EFCC should follow due process. Let the law take its course. That’s my personal opinion.”

  • EFCC denies shooting at pro-Yahaya Bello protesters

    EFCC denies shooting at pro-Yahaya Bello protesters

    The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has denied allegation of shooting at pro Yahaya Bello protesters at its headquarters on Monday in Abuja.

    Spokesman for the commission, Dele Oyewale said this while responding to a video trending on social media on the allegation of attack by the EFCC operatives on protesters.

    Oyewale disclosed  that there was no shooting at any protester at the commission on Monday.

    He said the operatives only dispersed the protesters who went to the commission’s headquarters to disrupt activities.

    ”No arrests were made as claimed by the group.

    “two groups demonstrated at the commission today. The first group came with a letter of commendation in support of  the EFCC anti corruption fight.

    ”They presented their letter, which was received by the Director of Public Enlightenment Department, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, who promised to deliver their message to the chairman.

    “Not quite long, another group came, these people were violent and destructive, the men of the commission had to chase them away.

    “It is not true, nobody was arrested and there was no shoot out,” he said.

    Pro-Yahaya Bello supporters came out on Monday to protest his alleged political persecution. The pro-Bello protest was staged by the Kogi Youth Coalition.

    They claimed they were attacked by  operatives of the commission.

    The group claimed that the first group of protesters were allowed into the  commission but the pro- Yahaya Bello group were denied entry.

    Videos of the protesters struggling to make their statements while being harassed and scampering for safety flooded the social media  with a picture of a badly damaged vehicle.

    The group claimed that at least 10 of the members were  arrested while many were  injured.

    They said they staged the protest to counter what they described as an EFCC-sponsored protest in their support, and  vowed to resist the intimidation, and urged  President Bola Tinubu to call EFCC to order.

    The Head of the Kogi Youth Coalition, Otitoleke Richard, while speaking  on the attack said:

    “We’re here this morning at the headquarters of EFCC in Abuja, addressing a topical national issue that has to do with the rule of law, the defence of democratic governance in Nigeria.

    “We have been intimidated, we have been harassed. The EFCC is saying we do not have the right to express our opinion on national issues.

    “We have been shot at; they have used their stick to beat ordinary Nigerians that are harmless.

    “We shall continue to air our opinion for democracy to thrive in Nigeria. Nigeria is not a Banana Republic.

    ”We’re saying the rule of law must be applied in all corruption files. You cannot fight corruption with lawlessness.”

    A protester, who simply identified himself as Malik, said it was unfortunate that peaceful protests that were a right of every Nigerian had now been made selective by the commission.

    “Why didn’t they attempt to disperse those Igala boys that protested against the former governor, can you imagine? EFCC sponsoring Muri Ajaka’s boys to come and support them and call Yahaya Bello out?

    “Nigerians should not be fooled to think anybody is fighting any corruption. They just want him out. Period.

    ”But we are saying they can’t disgrace him. He has done more than any governor for us in Kogi  and all these people know.

    This will not make us afraid of asking for our rights. We will continue,” he said.

  • Ex-Gov Ortom urges Yahaya Bello to come out of hiding; gives reasons

    Ex-Gov Ortom urges Yahaya Bello to come out of hiding; gives reasons

    Former Benue Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, has asked the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Mr Yahaya Bello, to come out of hiding and answer his case with the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

    Ortom stated this on Sunday at the Redeemed Church in Makurdi during the thanksgiving service organised by his aides to mark his 63rd birthday anniversary.

    He urged Bello to come out and defend his administration, adding that his continuous hiding would bring disgrace to former governors across the country.

    The ex Benue governor also urged his former appointees to always come forward and give account of their stewardship when called upon saying that they could only run when they had something to hide.

    “I want to use this opportunity to advise my younger brother and friend, Governor Yahaya Bello, not to disgrace former governors. You don’t need to hide, you don’t need to resist arrest or anything. Go there and respond.

    “EFCC are human beings. If they are making enquiries, the laws are there. I have tried to get him on the phone, I could not,  I have tried those around him, I could not so I want this to be noted.

    “So wherever he is, if he can hear me, thank God the press are here, he should come out,” Ortom said.

    The former governor appreciated the Benue people for their support throughout his eight years tenure and for celebrating him on his birthday.

    He said that being at the top for eight years was not an easy task and called on the people to always pray for their leaders.

    Ortom urged Benue youths to stop insulting the elders on social media and take advantage of the internet to add value to their lives and bring development to the state.

    “Do not insult the leaders or elders on social media. We all must be part of the process to bring peace so that progress, prosperity and development will come.

    “The youth must take advantage of the social media to bring development to themselves and to the state.

    “The whole world is in your palm, in your tablets and in your phone. Look at the essence of the internet.

    “Now that you cannot go to the farms, go to the website and see what people are doing in other to be parts of the world and to add value and bring wealth to yourselves,” he said.

    Ortom expressed gratitude to God for his mercies over his life and family saying he left government house a better christian and that he would continue to be and worship in the house of God.

    In their remarks, the Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondakaa, Chairman, Benue PDP, Mr John Ngbede, Sen Abba Moro,  all  appreciated Chief Ortom for his dogged fight for the security of the people.

    They  prayed to God to give him more opportunities to continue to contribute to the peace and development of the state.

  • Group urges Bello to submit himself to EFCC for questioning

    Group urges Bello to submit himself to EFCC for questioning

    The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has advised former Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, to submit himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning over alleged misappropretion of public funds.

    The TMSG Chairman,Mr Emeka Nwankpa said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    He described the stand-off between the former governor and the EFCC as unnecessary, saying it was an affront on the sanctity of the law and the integrity of President Bola Tinubu’s war against corruption.

    He asked Bello to heed to the advice of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi in this regard.

    This, Nwankpa said, was because the EFCC had not erred as it was doing its lawful job by asking Bello to appear before it for questioning.

    He said that EFCC was mandated by law to scrutinise and enforce accountability of persons in government positions in line with the anti-corruption policy of President Tinubu’s administration.

    “We have carefully watched all the drama and subterfuge that continue to trail the invitation by the EFCC to Bello, a senior member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “And the curious attempts to politicise the routine matter of the request by the graft fighting agency to ask former Bello to meet with its investigators.

    “For us, the intervention of the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, asking the former Kogi governor to subject himself to EFCC’s scrutiny is a clear signal in this regard.

    “Not only on the position of law, but also on the stance of President Tinubu’s administration on anti- corruption,” he said.

    He said it should be clear to Nigerians that strict accountability in governance occupied a cardinal place in Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Nwankpa added that to serve this purpose, the Tinubu-led administration had shown zero tolerance to cases of corruption since assuming office.

    “So the EFCC, by inviting the former Gov. Yahaya Bello, like it did with past and previous officials of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

    “And the immediate past Aviation minister, Hadi Sirika, is in tandem with its policy and character to nurture a culture of probity and accountability in governance.

    “As a staunch member of our party, we believe that Bello has no reason to fear.It is a process that is not predetermined.

    “We urge him to heed the advice of the Attorney General and make himself available to EFCC’s investigators as required by extant laws,” he said.

    He also advised members of the APC who had been up in arms against the anti-graft agency to be circumspect in their reaction to the issue.

    He said the TMSG saw anti-EFCC stance of such party members as a wrong signal.

    He wondered what their response would be if opposition elements decided to constitute obstruction to invitation by the anti-graft agency to former public officials who were not APC members.

    “For us, Bello owes it a duty to the state and the people he governed, if not to himself, to give account in line with our laws, and global best practices, it should not be seen as a witch hunt.

    “So rather than running from the law, this is a unique opportunity for Bello to face it with a view to preserving his integrity and honour which may qualify him for higher national responsibilities in the future,” Nwankpa said.

    He also urged the EFCC not to be deterred in its efforts at enthroning sanity, probity, and accountability in governance at all levels in the country.

  • Yahaya Bello: Court orders EFCC boss to appear

    Yahaya Bello: Court orders EFCC boss to appear

    A Kogi High Court in Lokoja on Friday ordered the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede, to appear before it on May 13 to show why he should not be committed for allegedly disobeying its order.

    Justice I.A. Jamil of High Court IV gave the order while ruling in Suit No: HCL/68M/2024 and Motion No: HCL/190M/2024, brought before him by ex-Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi in Lokoja.

    “The said act was carried out by the Respondent (EFCC) in violation of the order, which was valid and subsisting when they carried out the act.

    “That same act of the respondent amounts to contempt, ” the judge said.

    The EFCC boss is facing a contempt charge for allegedly carrying out “some acts upon which they (the EFCC) have been restrained” by the court on Feb. 9, pending the determination of the substantive originating motion.

    EFCC operatives had on April 17 laid siege on the residence of the former governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in a bid to arrest him, in spite a court order restraining them from taking such action, pending the determination of the originating motion.

    Justice Jamil’s order was based on a motion ex-parte filed by Yahaya Bello through his lawyer, M.S. Yusuf.

    Bello prayed the court for an order to issue and serve the respondent (EFCC Chairman) with Form 49 Notice to show cause why Order of Committal should not be made on Olukoyede.

    “The Judge, after listening to the arguments of the applicant’s counsel, the submission and exhibits attached in the written address, granted Bello’s prayers and ordered Olukoyede to be summoned to appear before the court to answer the contempt charge.

    “The applicant’s application before me is to the effect that the respondent has carried out some acts upon which they have been restrained by this court on Feb. 9, pending the determination of the substantive motion on notice before this court.

    “That the said act was carried out by the respondent in violation of the order which was valid and subsisting when they carried out those acts. That same act of the respondent amounts to act of contempt.

    “It’s against the above facts that this Court hereby grants the prayers sought in line with the principle of “Audi Ultra Patem”  (listen to the other side).

    “This matter is adjourned to May 13 for the respondent’s chairman to appear before this court in answer to form 49 ordered to be served on him,” the Judge said.

  • BREAKING! Embattled ex-gov, Yahaya Bello denies using govt money to pay children’s school fees

    BREAKING! Embattled ex-gov, Yahaya Bello denies using govt money to pay children’s school fees

    Embattled ex-Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has responded to allegations surrounding the payment of school fees for his children.

    The controversy arose following accusations by the chairman of the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, during a media parley.

    The EFCC chairman alleged that Bello withdrew funds from the Kogi State Government account to pay his children’s school fees, just before leaving office.
    Since the press conference, receipts purportedly showing payments of the said fees have circulated online, prompting a response from Bello’s media office.

    In response to the accusations, the embattled former governor released a statement signed by Ohiare Michael, which included several crucial details to set the record straight.

    The statement titled “Payment for school fees:Setting the records straid”, partly read, “While we reserve our rights to seek redress against the said defamatory statements, permit us to briefly state the following for the purpose of setting the records straight: “His Excellency, Yahaya Bello’s children have attended the American International School, Abuja well before he became Governor and he has paid fees for his children as and when due and without fail.

    “His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello did not pay the sum of USD720,000 as alleged by the EFCC Chairman or USD840,000 as is being bandied about on the internet.

    “The payment of the fees was not effected at about the time his Excellency was to leave office as claimed by Mr. Olukoyede but same commenced in 2021.

    “Alhaji Yahaya Bello DID NOT pay the fees of his Children with monies from the Coffers of the Kogi State Government.

    “When the EFCC approached the American International School Abuja (AISA) to illegally recover funds legitimately paid by Alhaji Yahaya Bello and other family members, a member of the family challenged the EFCC’s unlawful acts to recover funds legitimately paid. The FCT High Court, in Suit No.

    FCT/HC/2574/2023 between: Mr. Ali Bello v. The Incorporated Trustees of American International School, Abuja, held that AISA could not lawfully and unilaterally refund to a third party, including the EFCC, fees paid by the parties to the suit.

    “The Court subsequently mandated AISA to continue to provide the services it had been paid with respect to the fees.

    “From the foregoing, it is clear that no money belonging to Alhaji Yahaya Bello or his family members with regard to school fees has been recovered by the EFCC.

    “Now, let it be known that, contrary to misleading narratives by the EFCC, all the documents published online i.e. receipts and letters, that the EFCC has released online, in furtherance of its unrelenting persecution of the former Governor, are documents filed by lawyers in the suit instituted on behalf of Alhaji Yahaya Bello and others who paid fees for their wards under the Advance Fee Payment Agreement with AISA. Those documents, having been filed by his lawyers, are thus public documents, which shows that his Excellency, Yahaya Bello, has nothing to hide with regard to the payment of advance fees for his children. This unending harassment and persecution, even while in office, were among key reasons he sought to enforce his fundamental human rights.

    “We state that the payment of these fees and the legitimacy thereof is the subject matter of Charge No. FHC/CR/573/2022, filed by the EFCC since 15th December 2022 at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The Charge is pending and the Court has yet to make any finding or convicted anyone in respect of the said sum.”

  • American International School writes EFCC, seeks to refund $760,000 paid for Yahaya Bello children’s fees  

    American International School writes EFCC, seeks to refund $760,000 paid for Yahaya Bello children’s fees  

    The American International School of Abuja,  has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to provide “authentic banking details” for the refund of fees paid for the children of the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

    Bello allegedly paid $720,000 in advance as fees for five of his children from the coffers of the Kogi State Government.

    The children are in grade levels 2 to 8 at the school.

    The EFCC operatives on April 17 laid siege to Bello’s residence in Abuja in an attempt to arrest him over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.

    While the operatives were at the house, the current Governor of Kogi, Usman Ododo, arrived at the property and reportedly whisked Bello away.

    In a letter addressed to the Lagos zonal commander of the EFCC, the school said the sum of $845,852 had been paid in tuition “since the 7th of September 2021 to date”.

    AISA said the sum to be refunded is $760,910 because it had deducted educational services already rendered.

    “Please forward to us an official written request, with the authentic banking details of the EFCC, for the refund of the above-mentioned funds as previously indicated as part of your investigation into the alleged money laundering activities by the Bello family,” the letter reads.

    “Since the 7th September 2021 to date, $845,852.84 (Eight Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Two US Dollars and eighty-four cents) in tuition and other fees has been deposited into our Bank account.

    “We have calculated the net amount to be transferred and refunded to the State, after deducting the educational services rendered as $760,910.84. (Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ten US Dollars and Eighty-Four cents).

    “No further additional fees are expected in respect of tuition as the students’ fees have now been settled until they graduate from ASIA.”

    The school said it would draw the attention of the anti-graft agency if there were any further deposits by the Bello family.

    In a statement signed by Greg Hughes, AISA also said “Ali Bello contacted the school on Friday 13 August 2021 requesting to pay the family school fees in advance until the students graduate from High School”.

    The EFCC has since declared Bello wanted, with the Nigeria Immigration Service placing the ex-governor on a watchlist.

     

  • EFCC withdraws appeal against ex-Kogi gov, Yahaya Bello

    EFCC withdraws appeal against ex-Kogi gov, Yahaya Bello

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has filed a notice of withdrawal to discontinue an appeal against an order of a Kogi high court restraining the agency from arresting Yahaya Bello, former governor of the state.

    In the notice filed on April 22, and signed by its counsel, J.S Okutepa, SAN, the EFCC said the withdrawal is predicated on the fact that events have overtaken the appeal.

    The commission also admitted that the appeal was filed out of the time allowed by law.

    “The appellant herein intends to and do hereby wholly withdraw her appeal against the respondent in the above mentioned appeal.

    “This notice of withdrawal is predicated on the fact that; on the April 17, 2024, the application filed by the appellant herein was overtaken by the decision of the same high court of Kogi state,”

    “The orders made ex parte by Jamil on the Feb 9, 2024 in the said suit which is the subject of this appeal, was made to last pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion on notice which was finally determined by Jamil J. on the April 17, 2024.

    “Furthermore, the notice of appeal was filed out of time and we, therefore, pray that the appeal be struck out for being filed out of time and incompetent” he stated.

    On Feb 8, Bello instituted a fundamental rights enforcement suit, asking the court to declare that “the incessant harassment, threats of arrest and detention, negative press releases, malicious prosecution” of the EFCC — “without any formal invitation — is politically motivated and interference with his right to liberty, freedom of movement, and fair hearing”.

    The former governor also sought an order “restraining the respondent by themselves, their agents, servants or privies from continuing to harass, threaten to arrest or detain him”.

    On Feb 9, the Kogi high court granted an interim injunction restraining the EFCC from “continuing to harass, threaten to arrest, detain, prosecute Bello, his former appointees, and his staff or family members, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating motion for the enforcement of his fundamental rights”.

    On March 12, the EFCC filed an appeal against the interim injunction because the court could not stop the commission from carrying out its statutory responsibility.

    The Kogi high court delivered judgment on the substantive motion on notice on April 17 wherein Isa Jamil Abdullahi, presiding judge, granted an order restraining the EFCC “from continuing to harass, threaten to arrest or detain Bello”.

    However, Abdullahi directed the commission to file a charge against Bello before an appropriate court if it had reasons to do so.

    The judgment coincided with the recent “siege” laid on the Abuja residence of  Bello by EFCC operatives seeking to arrest him.

    The commission had also obtained a warrant of arrest against the former governor from the Abuja federal high court.

    The EFCC is seeking to arraign Bello on 19 counts bordering on alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80.2 billion.

    At the scheduled arraignment on April 18, Bello was absent.

    At the court session, Abdulwahab Mohammed, counsel to Bello, told  Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant the warrant of arrest in the first instance.

    He referenced the February 9 interim injunction issued by the Kogi high court, adding that the appeal filed by the EFCC is still pending.

  • Alex Otti’s revelations and the grave dangers of corruption – By Etim Etim

    Alex Otti’s revelations and the grave dangers of corruption – By Etim Etim

    By Etim Etim

    Corruption has been in the news lately, grabbing headlines and seizing national attention. In the week that Yahaya Bello arrayed the police against the EFCC and prevented the agency from arresting him, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State made startling revelations on the humongous corruption perpetrated by his predecessors. He announced that on assumption of duty last year, he had commissioned one of the biggest audit firms in the country to conduct a forensic examination of the major contracts awarded by his predecessors and the audit reports recently submitted to him showed that some contracts were just fraudulent activities designed to steal money. The governor listed them as N79.3 billion paid to seven contractors for contracts that were not executed at all up till today; another N15.9 billion paid to 63 contractors with no supporting documents anywhere in the state and another N12 billion paid to two contractors for contracts that do exist. Of these, N10 billion was paid in September 2020 to a contractor for the construction of Abia State Airport. ‘’We have spent time looking for the airport, but we have failed to locate it’’, the governor said, indicating that he had reported the matter to the security agencies. To drive home the enormity of the crime, Gov. Oti stated that the N10 billion stolen through phantom airport fraud was the exact amount he spent to clear backlog of salaries and pensions he inherited. Gov Otti’s predecessor, Dr. Okezie Ikoeazu, has denied any wrong doing. In a statement, he says that the airport project was suspended because of community feedbacks.

    I was not particularly shocked by Gov. Oti’s revelations because scams occur almost daily in all the states of the federation and the FCT.  In Akwa Ibom State, an ICT center is lying uncompleted not far from the Government House. The contract for construction was fully paid for, but the job was never done, and the two succeeding governors that came after refused to complete it. Gov. Umo Eno has not even mentioned it. Contract for the construction of a terminal building of the state-owned airport was awarded by another governor and the foreign contractor paid in full. Again, the job was not done. Another governor came, re-awarded it to another contractor, paid handsomely for it, but turned around to create his own schemes, awarding a different set of fraudulent contracts of his own for the building of a toothpick factory and dairy farm. Neither the toothpick factory nor the dairy farm has been found until this day, but the terminal building has made progress, and hopefully, would be completed by the incumbent governor. In neighbouring Cross River State, I am told that a former governor known for ‘olympopo budgets’ was a specialist in awarding illusory projects, fully paid for. Imo State under Rochas Okoracha deserves a book to be written on it.

    Everywhere you go around the country, phony schemes are used as conduit pipes to steal from the governments. The war between the two political gladiators in Rivers State is connected with sharing of the proceeds of contract scams. The incumbent governor’s decision to turn his back on the agreement he had with his predecessor has apparently saved the state billions of Naira. In Kogi, Gov. Usman Dodo is still loyal to his predecessor, Yahaya Bello. He helped him escape arrest by the EFCC. The same EFCC had last year indicted a former governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Matawale, who is now the Minister of State, Defence, of conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering to the tune of N70 billion. I’m sure that case has died a natural death. And who is the new governor of Zamfara? He was once a bank executive widely mentioned by the EFCC in the Diezani Allison-Madueke case years ago. These people keep reinventing themselves, from one lucrative job to another.

    The magnitudes and complexities of corruption in government houses across the country, including Aso Rock itself, are bewildering. But it is the standoff between Yahaya Bello and the EFCC that has raised questions about the fragility of the Nigerian state. If Bello could succeed in employing the services of the Nigerian police against the authority of the Nigerian state; and if Gov. Dodo could successfully mobilize a reinforcement of the Nigerian police to spirit Bello out of his home, thus subverting the authority and sovereignty of the state, you can imagine what the governors can do when they have state police. Bello and Dodo have shown how weak, fragile and vulnerable our institutions are and the extent the corrupt ones can go to capture the state and escape justice. A criminal suspect using state apparatus to defeat and embarrass the country shows how far we’ve sunk. Corruption continues to suffocate Nigeria, constituting our single biggest existential threat. It fuels terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes in the country. It denies our people education, healthcare, roads, rails and other amenities we deserve. Corruption, incompetence and decadence in all facets of our national life are the main reasons Nigeria has become a big global embarrassment. It’s never been this bad!

    In 2022, Yahaya Bello wanted to be President. He launched an ambitious campaign for APC presidential nomination in the party’s primaries. Although he scored a paltry 47 votes, his audacity did not go unnoticed. There’ve been speculations that he’s warming up for another bid in 2027. What kind of President will he be? At the federal level, the Tinibu administration is struggling with its own moral dilemma. For awarding a N15 trillion contract for the 700-km Lagos-Calabar highway to Hitech Construction Company (we all know those behind this company and their antecedents in Lagos) without due process, the government has received condemnations from many, including top opposition leaders like Atiku Abubarkar. Many are then asking if the administration possesses any iota of moral rectitude to even raise a voice against corruption.