As the case between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello continues to linger longer, it’s important for Nigerians to begin to look beyond the face-value of the matter to see what the apex anti graft agency has turned itself to, as well as appraising the moves of Bello.

The EFCC's statement in the allegations against Bello contains several contradictions and discrepancies, which undermine its credibility and raise questions about the fairness of the process. Nigerians ought to pay attention to these. Without much ado, what are these discrepancies?

First is the contradiction in the surrender and arrest narrative: The EFCC states that the appropriate place for Yahaya Bello to surrender is in court before Justice Emeka Nwite, where his legal team had undertaken to present him. However, they later attempted to arrest him at the Kogi State Governor's Lodge, despite earlier asserting that he should appear in court, creating confusion regarding their intentions.

Secondly, the tactical refusal of surrender: While the EFCC accuses Yahaya Bello of refusing to cooperate and hiding, they also admit to rejecting his attempt to surrender at their headquarters, claiming it was a "stunt" due to the involvement of a sitting governor. This raises questions about the EFCC's commitment to due process and whether they are genuinely interested in resolving the case in court, or merely creating obstacles.

Former governor of Ekiti state Ayo Fayose was accompanied by a then sitting governor Nyesom Wike and several top personalities to the EFCC headquarters where he was interrogated. How is this different from that of Yahaya Bello? Who is the EFCC trying to deceive.

Thirdly, the public accusations of evasion: The EFCC’s insistence on painting Yahaya Bello as a fugitive, despite his legal team's reported efforts to present him in court, appears to be an attempt to sway public opinion and tarnish his image, rather than a measured, evidence-based legal approach.

In light of these contradictions, everyone can bear witness that His Excellency Yahaya Bello remains fully committed to clearing his name through the proper legal channels and has consistently demonstrated his willingness to cooperate with the justice system. Contrary to the EFCC’s claims that he has been evading trial, Bello spent over four hours at the EFCC headquarters, engaging with their officials. During this time, he was not detained or processed; instead, the EFCC Chairman sent his Chief of Staff to discuss the matter with him.

Following this, Bello was asked to leave, only for the EFCC to later stage a dramatic late-night attempt to arrest him at the Kogi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja. This contradictory behavior raises serious questions about the Commission’s intentions and whether they are genuinely interested in pursuing justice or simply trying to orchestrate a spectacle.

Furthermore, Bello has earlier charged that the EFCC had requested financial inducement to drop the case against him, exposing what he believes to be a corrupt agenda within the Commission. His accusations are not isolated—former Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle similarly accused the EFCC of demanding a $2 million bribe to discontinue a case against him.

Additionally, the trending case of Bobrisky suggests a pattern of financial corruption within the EFCC. It is alleged that Bobrisky paid ₦15 million to the Commission to drop a money laundering case, further fueling public skepticism regarding the EFCC’s integrity.

Despite these troubling accusations, the EFCC continues to paint Yahaya Bello as the villain, accusing him of hiding and evading justice, when in reality he has made genuine efforts to engage the process. His legal team has undertaken to present him in court before Justice Emeka Nwite, signaling his intent to address the 18-count money laundering charges head-on and prove his innocence.

However, the EFCC’s tactics, from rejecting his voluntary surrender to staging a sensational late-night arrest attempt remains a serious call for threat to life, it also suggest that the agency is more focused on theatrics than on pursuing justice in an impartial manner.

The orchestrated media blitz and character assassination attempts by the EFCC appear to be nothing more than a distraction. Yahaya Bello, like many Nigerians, is deeply concerned about the double standards and selective prosecution that seem to define the EFCC’s operations.

His commitment to the judicial process remains unwavering, and he is prepared to face the evidence in court, confident that the truth will ultimately prevail.

Nigerians must question the EFCC’s motivations, especially in light of similar accusations from other high-profile individuals, and demand accountability from the agency tasked with fighting corruption.

Yahaya Bello’s case is not just about him—it is a reflection of the broader issues of corruption, double standards, and compromised justice that continue to plague the nation’s anti-graft efforts.

Kunle Afolabi is social commentator
He writes from Lagos

Chucks13:
Stop glorifying nonsense. I do not care about any contradiction all I care about is if found guilty he should return all the stolen money.

Contradiction my a s s.

malali:
This is why no matter what the president does, once we do not remove the nonsense immunity on state governors. The looting is out of this world. As some think they will need money to run for further elections and some even want to run for president.

This cycle has to be broken....All these should be auctioned and used to subsidies fuel prices in Kogi state or to run farms and subsidize fertilizers or fix schools for Kogi people.

BadBradley:
did you read the article at all, Mr red fonts?

EFCC should explain why they are lying to Nigerians and talking from both sides of the mouth

malali:


Is that you ? Yahya Bello.

Oluboh:
See these photos and listen to what the EFCC is saying

BadBradley:
lame just like your red fonts for desperate attention craving

malali:


Oh,but you felt the need to spend out of your time on my post.
lol...I wonder who the attention seeker is....??

Timi45:
How much were you paid to write this?

Bello is in the company of a sitting governor who has immunity. He should have presented himself without his errand boy leaving his primary duty protecting his wanted predecessor.