A member of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Tonye Barcanista, has expressed disappointment about the response by the media office of the embattled former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to the ongoing allegations of corruption.
Also read: We’ve returned your money to EFCC, American school tells Yahaya Bello
Recall that Ola Olukoyede, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, said Bello paid $720,000 in advance as fees for five of his children from the coffers of the Kogi state government.
While reacting to the allegation, in a statement signed by Ohiare Michael, the ex-governor’s media office said “Yahaya Bello’s children have attended the American International School, Abuja, since before he became Governor, and he has paid their fees as due without fail”.
“The payment is the subject of an ongoing court case, and we await the EFCC’s proof in court. We will not engage in prejudicial statements while the matter is sub judice,” the statement reads.
However, Barcanista stated that it is shocking that someone like Yahaya Bello could be mouthing the importance of rule of law and due process, citing past incidents of injustice during Bello’s administration as governor of Kogi State.
He wrote:
I am astonished to see Yahaya Bello’s Media Office espousing the importance of rule of law and due process.
In 2017, the same Yahaya Bello ordered security operatives to arrest Comrade Austin Okai at his Abuja residence and detain him in Lokoja, Kogi State, simply for criticizing his administration. Shortly thereafter, Comrade Austin was taken to a Magistrate court, granted bail, and rearrested by security operatives right inside the courtroom, despite fulfilling his bail conditions. I witnessed this travesty of justice firsthand, having traveled from Abuja to Lokoja in solidarity with Comrade Austin despite the risk as I was part of those advocating the #FreeOkai campaign.
Despite being taken to SARS, Comrade Austin’s resolve remained unbroken. He has since been vindicated and continues to be a vocal advocate for the people of Kogi.
Ironically, Yahaya Bello, the self-proclaimed ‘White Lion,’ now lives as a fugitive, evading accountability for his economic and financial crimes committed during his tenure as Governor. It is perplexing that he has not been investigated and prosecuted for his other alleged offenses. Yahaya Bello should surrender himself to the authorities, as his time in power has come to an end.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
