society
Is Yahaya Bello the Sinner or the Sinned Against?* By Smart Origbo
*Is Yahaya Bello the Sinner or the Sinned Against?*
By Smart Origbo
For unsavoury reasons, the story of the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Mr Yahaya Bello has literally seized the media space in the country, week-in, week-out.
The hide -and seek game between Bello and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), blew open a forthnight ago when the anti-graft agency decided to “catch” Bello right in his house at the Wuse district in Abuja.
The agency had barricaded the street forbidding even residents from entering or exiting the street. The planned arrest turned a fiasco as the sitting Kogi State governor, Governor Usman Ododo was alleged to have nestled Yahaya Bello into his car and driven him out of the vicinity, basking in the immunity that covers him and even his car.
Ever since then, the polity had been agog with the issue of Bello. Opinions have been divided whether or not the former Kogi governor is the sinner or the one sinned against.
The way the EFCC has presented Yahaya Bello to the polity, with all the accompanying drama, is that Bello is a thief who must be stripped at the market square for maximum shame. But those who are more circumspect and critical in criminal procedures have faulted the approach of the EFCC.
Those who so believe, argue that the EFCC has breached the due process in an attempt to hastily humiliate the former governor, having pasted on him the tag of a crooked thief, without allowing the court to do so.
Perhaps it is in the fear that this may happen that the former governor had secured a court order forbidding the anti-graft agency from arresting or harassing him. But the EFCC in believing that Yahaya Bello has a case to answer, had appealed against that order. While the appeal is yet to be heard, the EFCC moved his men, in a gestapo fashion, to go for Bello’s jugular. This happened few days to the date the said appeal by the EFCC was due to be heard in the court.
So the question arises: why the haste to breach legal due process on the part of the EFCC, thus causing a needless social hoopla? If the anti-graft commission was so sure that it could do as it pleases, regardless of the provisions of the law, then why did it bother going to court to vacate the order stopping it from inviting, arresting or harassing Bello? Yes, nobody (including Yahaya Bello) is above the law, but is the EFCC above the law?
It is doubly tragic and ironical that the EFCC is currently being run and headed by Ola Olukoyede, a lawyer of over 22 years experience. So, which part of the law he read permits him to pre-empt the pronouncement of the court by deciding to do as he wants, regardless of constitutionally laid down procedure?
Indeed, even if the EFCC had a good case against Bello, the way and manner it has gone about it has despoiled the case fundamentally. And this prosecutorial incapacity is one reason the EFCC had lost many of its good cases in the past. Does the EFCC need to be schooled on the basic ethos of the law which pays great attention to, not what done, but how done?Little wonder that the EFCC has, on its own accord, now withdrawn the appeal against the court injunction restraining the EFCC from arresting Bello, allegedly on the grounds that events have overtaken the appeal. What events have overtaken it? A sham claim!
It is even more curious to know that the same EFCC Chairman is a Pastor. As a senior clergy man, his actions both in private and public appearances should, like Ceaser’s wife, be above board. But sadly, this outing of Pastor Olukoyede is shamefully dirtied by procedural impropriety, fueling suspicion that his actions are politically motivated. A case of the voice of Jacob and the hands of Esau.
What is more? In all the back-and-forth of the matter, the EFCC has not been able to prove that it actually formally invited Bello for questioning over the pending allegations of money laundering. The closest to this was when the EFCC chairman, himself recently said he had put a call to Bello inviting him to his office for interrogation. No formal letter of invitation was ever sent to him. What if it is not true that Olukoyede is not telling the whole truth? It is certain that if the EFCC had formally invited Yahaya Bello, they would have long circulated the letter on the social media.
Did the EFCC not breach the process by suddenly sending its men to arrest Bello without formally inviting him for questioning? Even a suspected criminal, with bloody hands, is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. This is what the law prescribes. Mr Olukoyede should know this. Neither he nor the EFCC can be a judge in their own case. It is when this process is duly followed that prosecution is not seen as persecution.
Even if indeed, Bello is a sinner and has some questions to answer, the EFCC has turned him to a man more sinned against by seemingly bungling the prosecution procedure. Justice and the route to it must be freed from emotion, propaganda and media trial. Until the EFCC learns to follow due process, its actions and inactions will continue to smell political.
Its best antidote is strict adherence to the rule of law.The EFCC cannot resort to self-help by side-stepping the provisions of the law. It must show its committed adherence to legal and judicial due process in securing convictions of accused persons.
The EFCC had furthered its affront on propriety by demanding the refund of the so-called school fees paid by Bello for his children in an Abuja high-nitch school. The school allegedly refunded the said fees which were paid in dollars, out of the intimidation tendencies of EFCC. The EFCC has a case with Yahaya Bello, not the school. So, coercing the school to refund the fees paid is clear case of institutional bullying.
In all, the law in any society is put in place to shield the citizenry from any form of political or institutional thralldom and so the EFCC, no matter how important and needed its role(s) might be in getting the system to function effectively, must be seen to be doing the right things at the right time and in the right way. Anything short of that will be a perfect prescription for chaos and crisis.
*Origbo is a lawyer and public affairs analyst*
Alleged Manipulation of Defilement Case Sparks Call for Review of Legal Advice in Lagos
By Ifeoma Ikem
A legal controversy has emerged in Lagos following a petition seeking a review of a legal advice issued in a case involving two female teachers accused of negligence in a child injury incident at a nursery school in Ikorodu.
The petition, submitted by Crown Cannan Attorneys, urges the Lagos State Ministry of Justice to reconsider the legal advice issued on September 16, 2022, in the case titled Commissioner of Police vs. Ambassador Rukayat Tobiloba and Rukayat Lawal.
Addressed to the former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, the application argues that the legal advice may have been influenced by what the petition describes as a “deliberate manipulation of facts.”
According to counsel representing the defendants, the allegations stem from an incident that allegedly occurred on October 26, 2021, at Great Kezino Nursery and Primary School located in the Adamo area of Ikorodu, Lagos.
The defendants, Ambassador Rukayat Tobiloba, 26, and Rukayat Lawal, 24, were reportedly the class teacher and assistant class teacher respectively in charge of a Nursery One class where the incident occurred.
Court documents indicate that a three-year-old pupil, identified as Victim A, was reportedly injured after another pupil allegedly pierced a pencil into her private part during school hours.
The prosecution claims the incident occurred due to the failure of the teachers to exercise adequate care and supervision over the children under their custody.
Based on this allegation, the two educators were charged with negligence under Section 252 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which addresses acts that may cause harm through lack of proper care.
The defendants were subsequently arraigned before Magistrate Court No. 2 in Ikeja on April 19, 2022, where they faced a one-count charge relating to the incident.
During the investigation conducted at the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja, several civil society groups reportedly monitored the proceedings.
Among them were representatives of the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) and other non-governmental organizations.
These groups reportedly raised concerns about what they described as a growing tendency to weaponise allegations of child abuse in ways that could unfairly damage reputations and careers.
In its petition, the defence team argued that the case deserves a fresh review to ensure that justice is served based on verified facts rather than assumptions or public pressure.
They urged the Ministry of Justice to carefully reassess the legal advice and the circumstances surrounding the investigation to determine whether the prosecution should proceed as currently framed.
Legal observers say the outcome of the requested review could determine the next stage of the case and may also highlight broader concerns about investigative procedures and child protection cases within the justice system.
Reacting to a viral social media post by Ambassador Rukayat Tobiloba, who claimed she might be jailed for defilement, the head teacher of Great Kezino Nursery and Primary School, Mrs. Edaolaropin Toyin, provided the school’s account of events.
According to her, the pupil identified as Victim A was enrolled in the Nursery One class on September 20, 2021, which had about 15 pupils.
She explained that on October 26, 2021, the pupil was transported home on the school bus after closing hours and handed over to her father around 4:30 p.m.
“Later that night, the pupil’s mother allegedly contacted the head teacher, claiming her daughter cried while bathing and alleged that a male classmate, Victim B, had inserted a pencil into her private part during school hours,” she said.
The school, however, rejected the allegation, maintaining that no such incident occurred while the child was in its custody.
“The following morning, the teacher visited the pupil’s home, where the father reportedly denied the mother’s account of the incident,” Toyin added.
She said the situation escalated later that day when the child’s parents arrived at the school with police officers from Imota Police Station demanding that the alleged male classmate be produced.
The head teacher further stated that the school management had supported Tobiloba throughout the legal process.
“Since the incident happened, the school management has never stopped supporting Tobiloba’s welfare until last year when she sent a WhatsApp message saying she was no longer interested in the court matter, claiming she had relocated to Ibadan,” she said.
She described the claims currently circulating on social media as “defamatory narratives.”
*GEN CG MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE MOURNS FALLEN HEROES AND URGES UNITY IN SECURITY SUPPORT
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative (GCGMSI) expresses its heartfelt condolences to His Excellency Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR, Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Grand Patron of the Initiative, and the families of the fallen heroes who courageously lost their lives in a recent attack by ISWAP in Konduga, Marte, Jakana, and Dalori in Borno State, northeast Nigeria. Among the tragic losses were three senior military commanders: Major U.I. Mairiga, Lt-Col Umar Faruq, and Lt-Col S.I. Iliyasu, who dedicated their lives to the service of our nation.
The GCGMSI implores the public to continue supporting our security agencies, emphasizing that the safety and security of our nation is a collective responsibility. Every day, our security forces pay the ultimate price to safeguard our country. We urge the public to remain supportive, pray for their success, and refrain from politicizing the security challenges we face.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Convener, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, which has been made available to the press. The statement highlights the initiative’s profound concern for the losses sustained by our security personnel and reflects on the broader security situation in Nigeria.
In his unwavering commitment to addressing the insecurity plaguing our nation, the Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa, has consistently engaged in urgent meetings with service chiefs, reinforcing strategic plans to combat threats and enhance national security. His leadership and decisive actions demonstrate a dedication to restoring peace and stability across our regions, ensuring a safer environment for all Nigerians.
society
SECURITY IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY: BACKING OUR MINISTER OF DEFENCE GEN. CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA OFR
SECURITY IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY: BACKING OUR MINISTER OF DEFENCE GEN. CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA OFR
By Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani
In these challenging times, it is essential for all Nigerians to rally behind our leaders, particularly His Excellency Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR, the Minister of Defence. The security of our nation is not a matter to be taken lightly or politicized. Gen. Musa, recognized for his unwavering dedication and sacrifice, has served our country commendably throughout his life.
Following the recent reshuffle of service chiefs by President Asiwaju Bola Ahamed Tinubu GCFR, which resulted in Gen. Musa’s retirement as Chief of Defence Staff, many voiced their concerns. Yet, upon his appointment as Minister of Defence, there was a renewed sense of hope among the populace. Gen. Musa has embraced his role with an unwavering commitment, often sacrificing his rest to ensure the safety and security of our great nation.
While it is undeniable that Nigeria faces security challenges, we must approach these issues with unity rather than division. It is crucial to recognize that those who politicize our national security are often those who have not contributed positively to the success of our security agencies. Instead of spreading negativity, we should support Gen. Musa in his mission to restore peace and stability.
To achieve our collective goal of a secure Nigeria, we must provide Gen. Musa with the trust he deserves. His vision and determination, paired with our support and prayers, can pave the way to overcoming the challenges we face. It’s time for every Nigerian to put aside political differences and work together for the common good. Let us have faith in our leaders and trust in Gen. Musa’s ability to steer our nation towards safety and security.
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