EFCC, Bello and rule of law

Sir: Anecdotal evidence indicates that corruption in Nigeria is culturally acceptable because members of the family, tribe or ethnic group benefit from an individual’s ill-gotten gains.

To highlight the importance of anti-corruption for socio-economic growth — which is being raised globally — the anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested, detained and even prosecuted some public office holders including former governors, ministers, managing directors and many other public officials.

Unfulfilled promises and disappointed expectations of the past are mainly responsible for the seeming apathy and disillusionment about elected leaders. Democratic leadership is about honest service to the people without seeking material rewards in return. The race is not about personal benefit but passion to use wealth of experience in the service of the people.

There have been series of distorted information on the facts of the matter being investigated by the EFCC in Kogi State. Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello reportedly evaded arrest by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday, with the assistance of his successor, Governor Usman Ododo. The EFCC had laid siege to the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja in an attempt to apprehend Bello, who is wanted over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud case.

Despite the operation, Ododo allegedly helped Bello avoid arrest, leveraging the immunity he enjoys as a sitting governor. The incident follows a similar attempt in April, where Ododo reportedly facilitated Bello’s escape from EFCC operatives during another raid in Abuja. After a visit by Bello and Ododo to the EFCC headquarters, the commission denied having Bello in custody.

EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale stated that Bello was not detained, despite claims by Bello’s media team that he had visited the agency. EFCC officials indicated that Ododo’s actions prevented them from arresting Bello, stating that his governorship immunity hindered the operatives from taking further action.

The Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has vowed that no one involved in economic or financial crimes would be spared by the commission. Olukoyede disclosed this recently at an anti-corruption concert organised to create greater awareness and public involvement in the fight against internet crimes.

Bello is not the first former governor to appear before the commission since 2007 dozens of former governors have appeared before the commission to clear their names off corruption. What is special about Bello? Bello should stop this drama and present himself to EFCC with immediate alacrity in the interest of transparency, accountability and rule of law. As the saying goes: “A clean conscience fears no accusation.”

Ahmad Nas is a public commentator based in Abuja.