Yahaya Bello and EFCC’s circus show, By Zainab Suleiman Okino

One doesn’t need to be a fan of Yahaya Bello to ask what’s going on. Are folks simply exploiting the company’s institutional weaknesses, or are there compromises right here and there? Bungling the Yahaya Bello case has left everybody confused about EFCC’s motives, intentions, and professionalism. These are moral questions that can unravel in the midst of time.

If the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) and Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello tango had been a contest, the latter would have received in a knockout blow that despatched the anti-corruption company to the canvas, hitting so badly that it could by no means recuperate, not less than not quickly. Nonetheless, whereas the EFCC reels from this misadventure, the joke is on the nation and all who had invested emotionally within the company, hoping it will stamp out or not less than cut back corruption within the public sector and provides Nigeria a greater world picture. This newest debacle has additional uncovered the present authorities’s lack of ability or reluctance to deal with corruption headlong.

How else can one clarify what transpired between the previous governor of Kogi state and the EFCC final week? Shortly after his tenure resulted in January this yr, the EFCC, which had a working battle with the governor whereas in workplace, invited him. Nonetheless, Yahaya Bello’s pushback based mostly on a subsisting court docket order prevailed, and the EFCC fought again by declaring him needed. Six months later, the ex-governor confirmed up on the EFCC headquarters.

What occurred between the EFCC representatives and Yahaya Bello within the daytime regarded like a pleasant chat. The company in all probability felt dazed by Yahaya Bello’s seeming apparition, solely to disturb his peace and that of his neighbours in Asokoro district at night time. Like thieves within the night time, the EFCC operatives surrounded and shot many occasions across the Kogi lodge (seeking Bello) and left, failing to both arrest or catch their “needed” ex-governor. The EFCC had earlier levelled a 19-count cost towards Yahaya Bello and accused him and his nephew, Ali Bello, the Chief of Workers to present Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo, of cash laundering as much as the tune of N80.2 billion belonging to Kogi state. When the ex-governor finally and willingly surrendered, the EFCC regarded the opposite method.

As an establishment, the EFCC has failed Nigeria and abdicated its duty. It wasted materials and human sources and has nothing to point out for it. What a disgrace! What a humiliation. EFCC’s inefficiency has proved Yahaya Bello’s assertion of witch-hunt, political vendetta, and persecution quite than the graft warfare it was established to struggle. You possibly can hardly fault that line of thought on this case.

For most individuals accused of corrupt practices, particularly the political class, they usually reply the EFCC’s name to make their statements and are left off the hook to go and sin no extra. At that stage, the battle strikes to the courts the place the EFCC prosecutors lose lots of their instances after their preliminary bravado, for lack of diligent prosecution and improper investigation earlier than speeding to court docket. Many so affected lastly stroll out of the EFCC authorized entice free. However with the Yahaya Bello case, their awful job has develop into extra obvious.

Little did we all know {that a} time would come when EFCC would develop into solely a toothless bulldog, unable to even bark in any respect, making folks ponder whether EFCC’s golden period is over. Their modus operandi now resembles “persecution and never correct prosecution” that might result in conviction. Below its present chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, EFCC is all sizzling air, drama, sensation, and no substance.

Recall that the Chairman, whereas nonetheless on the Yahaya Bello case, inadvertently admitted bias and favouritism when he disclosed that he appealed to Yahaya Bello to return by means of his door/gate as a substitute of regular routes, maybe to keep away from embarrassment; one other proof of EFCC’s selective investigation of corrupt practices, chasing shadows and combating pointless political battles as a substitute of economic crimes. The regulation is there for everybody to obey, to not defend a privileged few.

EFCC takes delight of their Gestapo-style struggle towards alleged yahoo boys and financially endowed younger adults and college students, and media trials of high-profile people. There are quite a few instances of EFCC operatives compromising with criminals or turning into criminals themselves by extorting cash from yahoo boys, actual or imagined. Such unhealthy eggs must be flushed out, however with a not-so-proactive management, I doubt if the EFCC has the ethical weapon to punish their erring workers.

For his or her indiscretion over the Yahaya Bello fiasco, the Olukoyede-led EFCC has develop into a laughingstock scorned by all. On a lighter word, was EFCC bewitched by Yahaya Bello’s prowess? As a result of fairly frankly, this case doesn’t make sense.

Olukoyede ought to fear about his place in historical past and be cautious of his legacy, not ending in ignominy like a few of his predecessors. To struggle corruption is tough and requires stealth, braveness, competence, and character. Olukoyede ought to mix all these qualities.

The drama and theatrics at play over a number of the instances earlier than the EFCC in latest occasions are laughable. As a foremost establishment globally acknowledged, it ought to do greater than the circus present it has develop into. Beneath the comedian aid it generally gives are thought-provoking considerations and worries about its future and destiny as an anti-graft establishment. Is that this the tip of the street for EFCC? Ought to we simply transfer on and legitimize corruption and monetary infractions as a part of our existential actuality?

One doesn’t need to be a fan of Yahaya Bello to ask what’s going on. Are folks simply exploiting the company’s institutional weaknesses, or are there compromises right here and there? Bungling the Yahaya Bello case has left everybody confused about EFCC’s motives, intentions, and professionalism. These are moral questions that can unravel in the midst of time.

Zainab Suleiman Okino (FNGE) chairs the Blueprint Editorial Board and a syndicated columnist. She may be reached by means of zainabokino@gmail.com