Benin, Edo – Olayiwola Afolabi, a Senior Advocate 0f Nigeria (SAN), has blame the rot in the Nigerian system for the situation in which the immediate past governor of Kogi State is in hiding from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dragnet for an alleged fraud running into a humongous N80.2 billion.

The Benin-based lawyer and human rights activist spoke when he featured on POLITICs TODAY, a current affairs programme on Independent Radio, Benin anchored by Mr Sony Duke Okosun on Saturday April 27, 2024.

He observed: "This is not the first time ex-Governor Yahaya Bello's name will be associated with monumental fraud. Recall that he was alleged to have diverted N20billion of palliative fund to a bank. A local government official reported the fraud to EFCC which recovered the money. But, the anti-graft agency kept the fund safely for Kogi State afraid that if it released it to Bello it may be relooted. Unlike the case of Kogi State, EFCC did not delay in returning recovered looted funds immediately to Enugu State.

"I don't think Yahaya Bello alone committed this alleged fraud. The state accountant-general and other top government officials crrtainly supported him in the act with paper work. Because no one can withdraw such a huge amount of money from government coffers without approval given from one table to the other by officials. So the EFCC should invite all people connected with the Yahaya Bello case for investigations and prosecution along with him if need be. Already, the good news is that EFCC has invited all the local government chairmen in Kogi State for interrogation to give account of aĺl monies they signed for since they assumed office. Because they are suspects too in the alleged corruption case of Yahaya Bello. Governors are known to tamper with local government's funds after which the chairmen take their own share"

In reaction to a question from the moderator, Afolabi emphasized that from available fact, a prima facie case of fraud can be established against Yahaya Bello. Without mincing words.

The Ekiti-born constitutional lawyer pointed out that the recovered N20 billion palliative fund lodged by Yahaya Bello in a bank is a clear indication òf corrupt enrichment.

Also, we know that the American International School, Abuja refunded 760,910 dollars school fees paid in advance to the school by Yahaya Bello from government coffers.

This is another prima facie evidence he explained.

At this juncture, Afolabi observed that he was not surprised by the behavior of Yahaya Bello who refused to give himself up to the EFCC at Abuja when the agency arrived his residence in Abuja for his arrest before Governor Usman Ododo arrived there to whisk him away.

Afolabi went on: "Ododo himself was put there by Yahaya Bello. Hence, Ododo lay down, prostrated while presenting his INEC certificate as governor-elect to Yahaya Bello at Government House in Lokoja.

"Well, Ododo as a sitting governor enjoys immunity. But he should realise that when he leaves office, his immunity ends. He will be prosecuted for obstructing EFCC from arresting Yahaya Bello at Abuja. It was a wrong action by Ododo."

Afolabi, thereafter, criticised the judge of Kogi High Court for issuing an order restraining EFCC from arresting Yahaya Bello, noting that no court has powers to stop a legal body from performing its constitutional duties. So, it is neccesary for the National Judicial Council(NJC) to look into the Kogi High Court order.

According to Afolabi; what is going on now is not a media trial of Yahaya Bello. EFCC is serious about bringing Yahaya Bello to book for all his economic and financial crimes against Kogi people and Nigeria.

Afolabi narrated: "It is not today Yahaya Bello's name is mentioned in a corruption matter. We should not forget that while in office, Yahaya Bello tried to appoint his wife as a judge of Kogi High Court when she has never practised as a lawyer.

"SANs in the state protested, went to court to stop the move. But they failed because the court said they have no locus standi in the issue. Infact, the judiciary in Kogi State suffered under Yahaya Bello. Salaries were not paid regularly to judicial staff. Magistrates took to farming to survive.

"Judges fled the state. So, you can see that it is not going to be just noise and media trial for Yahaya Bello. A woman who suffered in his hands even publicly cursed him on the day he left office."

Furthermore, Afolabi is unhappy that EFCC has been unable to arrest Yahaya Bello since he left office in January 2024 as a person on the anti-graft agency's wanted list for corruption.

To Afolabi, this is not only an abnormality but an indictment on the nation's security system, insisting that if Yahaya Bello was abroad he would have long been arrested.

Therefore, Afolabi appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rejig the security apparatus otherwise despite the overdrive on biometrics in Nigeria we will not have the capacity to track kidnappers or fugitives.

Also, Afolabi said: "Corruption in government really exists in Nigeria. That is why someone observed that government is like an elephant. People go into public office to get their own share of the elephant meat".

Afolabi commended the effort of the EFCC chief, Ola Olukayode for the renewed vigour he has brought into fighting corruption in Nigeria since he assumed office.

On a conclusive note, Afolabi advised public officials to abstain from corruption adding that no governor or local government chairman can escape the eagle eyes of EFCC òn corrupt practices because the agency now keeps an electronic tap on all government's financial transactions.

One of the highlights of the programme was when Mr Friday Idemudia called into the programme and before making his contribution acknowledged the philanthropy of Olayiwola Afolabi for taking up a case for him without legal fees.