The internet was set abuzz as the new year, 2025, ushered in an unimaginable celebration of former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adosa Bello, by the people of Okene.
Nigerians, particularly the residents of Kogi State, were stunned by the fanfare surrounding Bello’s return to Okene after weeks of imprisonment at Kuje Prison over charges of embezzling state funds during his tenure as governor.
This development has been widely described as a disgrace and a slap on the face of Nigeria’s justice system.
In light of this, OurWorldGist, sought the opinion of its esteemed writer, Sani Michael Omakoji (SMO), on this controversial issue. Here’s what SMO had to say:
“Yahaya Adosa Bello’s triumphant entry into Okene after leaving Kuje Prison for embezzling public funds amounting to N109 billion comes as no surprise to me, Sani Michael Omakoji (SMO), the author of this piece.
We operate in a system governed by outdated laws and decrees that fail to account for present realities.
Consider this scenario: A public officer embezzles a whopping N50 billion while in office. Upon leaving office, they are arrested and prosecuted. However, the court, operating within the framework of our constitution and legal precedents, grants bail to the offender for as little as N250,000.
Following the bail, the accused person secretly negotiates with corrupt judges and compromised institutions, sharing the stolen funds with them.
Predictably, the case eventually dies a natural death, and no one asks questions.
This is precisely why former Governor Yahaya Bello, accused of stealing N109 billion, was granted bail for a mere N500,000.
Is it not absurd and outright ridiculous in any sane society?
What then happens to the remaining N108 billion, less the N500,000 used for bail, still in Yahaya Bello’s possession?
Some may argue that stringent conditions were attached to the bail, such as providing a surety with landed property in Maitama or Wuse, Abuja.
I laugh in multiple languages at such claims because they are merely statements designed to deceive the public into believing something serious is being done.
The reality is that, as I mentioned earlier, Yahaya Bello, the defendant, will likely negotiate with corrupt judges and compromised institutions representing the plaintiff, sharing the stolen funds with them. Consequently, the case will be quietly buried.
I need not recount previous similar cases of former governors or political appointees whose trials ended in futility; a simple internet search will reveal them.
That the sitting Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, went as far as mobilizing people from the remotest parts of Kogi Central to attend Yahaya Bello’s celebratory return to Okene is not just an insult to the people of Kogi State but a monumental slap on Nigeria’s entire system.
In a sane society, should Governor Ododo, who claims to be a man of integrity, associate himself with such blatant complicity in corruption?
To save time and space, I assert that until Nigeria enforces capital punishments such as life imprisonment, mandating culprits to repay double the amount stolen, or even the death penalty, our outdated laws will continue to make a mockery of justice.
In conclusion, the only thing Kogi people and Nigerians have gained from Governor Yahaya Bello’s arrest is this: Yahaya Bello is now an Ex-convict…😄😄”
Sani Michael Omakoji (SMO),
Clinical Writer and Public Affairs Commentator.
Follow on X: @Omakogi1
