society
Justice or Political Optics? EFCC, Yahaya Bello, and the Dangerous Illusion of Innocence
Justice or Political Optics? EFCC, Yahaya Bello, and the Dangerous Illusion of Innocence.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“How the Rule of Law Is Being Tested by Power, Party Loyalty, and Public Distrust.”
The declaration by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, remains “innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction” has reignited a fierce national debate and one that goes far beyond legal technicalities and strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s credibility in the fight against corruption.
On paper, the EFCC’s position is constitutionally sound. Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) clearly states that every person charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty. No democrat, no matter how critical of government, can legitimately dispute this principle.
Yet, in practice, Nigeria’s problem has never been the absence of laws, but it has always been the selective application of those laws.
The Charges and the Legal Process.
Yahaya Bello, who served as governor of Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, is standing trial over serious allegations of financial impropriety, including money laundering and misappropriation of public funds running into tens of billions of naira. The EFCC alleges that state funds were siphoned through proxies and shell arrangements, with properties acquired in high-value locations within and outside Nigeria.
The Commission maintains that it has followed due process, filing charges before a competent court and presenting witnesses and documentary evidence. The defence, on the other hand, argues that Bello’s name does not appear directly as a beneficiary in some transactions and that withdrawals cited were part of routine government operations.
This legal contestation is now before the judiciary, where evidence, cross-examination and judicial reasoning (not media narratives) will determine the final outcome.
EFCC spokespersons have reiterated that the agency does not convict; courts do. As one official succinctly put it, “It is not the EFCC that will declare anyone guilty. That responsibility lies squarely with the court.”
Presumption of Innocence vs. Public Reality.
While the law insists on presumption of innocence, public opinion tells a very different story.
Across Nigeria, from civil society spaces to academic circles and online platforms, a dominant perception has crystallized: many Nigerians believe Yahaya Bello is guilty, and that the system is merely buying time, managing outrage, and shielding power.
This belief is not born of sentiment alone. It is shaped by patterns Nigerians have observed repeatedly, where politically exposed persons aligned with the ruling party enjoy prolonged legal sympathy, procedural caution and rhetorical softness that rarely extend to opposition figures or politically expendable actors.
Political economist Dr. Pat Utomi once observed that “corruption in Nigeria thrives not because it is hidden, but because it is protected.” To many Nigerians, the Bello case fits squarely into this troubling pattern.
The APC Factor and Allegations of Selective Justice.
A central question continues to haunt public discourse:
Would this case be unfolding the same way if Yahaya Bello were not associated with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)?
This is where the EFCC’s moral burden becomes heavier. Critics argue that party affiliation has become an unofficial shield, blurring the line between legal prudence and political protection.
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has warned that “when justice appears partisan, it ceases to be justice and becomes performance.” That warning resonates powerfully here. Nigerians are not necessarily rejecting the rule of law; they are questioning why the rule of law seems elastic for the powerful and unforgiving for the powerless.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo captured this national frustration bluntly when he stated:
“Nigeria does not lack laws; it lacks political will.”
For many observers, the Bello prosecution exposes precisely this deficit of will.
EFCC, Credibility, and the Burden of Trust.
The EFCC occupies a delicate space in Nigeria’s democracy. It is both a symbol of hope and a subject of suspicion. Its success depends not only on convictions, but on public trust.
When the Commission vigorously pursues certain individuals while appearing cautious or conciliatory toward others of equal or greater alleged culpability, it fuels the narrative of double standards. This perception (whether the EFCC accepts it or not) undermines its institutional authority.
Legal scholar Professor Adegoke Adelabu notes that:
“Anti-corruption agencies lose legitimacy not when cases fail, but when citizens believe outcomes are predetermined by politics rather than evidence.”
In the Bello case, even as the EFCC insists on legal propriety, the optics suggest hesitation, and that an impression that the agency is walking on eggshells because of political power dynamics.
Judiciary as the Final Arbiter.
Ultimately, the courts remain the last line of defense against injustice, both against wrongful conviction and against elite impunity. Nigerian judges are constitutionally empowered to weigh evidence, dismiss weak cases and convict where guilt is proven beyond reasonable doubt.
However, the judiciary does not operate in a vacuum. Delays, adjournments, and procedural battles, though sometimes legally justified, often reinforce public cynicism, especially in high-profile corruption cases involving political heavyweights.
As respected jurist Justice Chukwudifu Oputa once warned:
“Justice delayed may be justice denied—not only to the accused, but to society.”
A Nation Tired of Legal Semantics.
For millions of Nigerians battling poverty, insecurity, and collapsing public services, this case is no longer just about Yahaya Bello. It is about whether accountability in Nigeria is real or selective.
To them, repeated reminders of “innocent until proven guilty” sound hollow when everyday Nigerians are punished swiftly and harshly for far lesser offences. The anger is not against the Constitution; it is against a system that appears to weaponize legality to protect the elite.
In the court of public opinion, many Nigerians have already reached their conclusion, not because they hate due process, but because experience has taught them how power behaves in Nigeria.
Final Reflection: Law, Power, and the Future of Accountability.
The EFCC is correct in law: only a court can pronounce guilt. But the Nigerian people are also correct in sentiment: justice must be seen to be fair, fearless, and consistent.
If Yahaya Bello is eventually acquitted based on evidence, the nation must accept it. But if the process collapses under political pressure, procedural manipulation, or endless delay, it will confirm the darkest fears of a people who already believe that APC membership comes with legal insurance.
As the late legal icon Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) once declared:
“A society that abandons equal justice invites chaos disguised as order.”
Nigeria stands at that crossroads today. The Bello case is not just a trial, it is a test of conscience, for the EFCC, the judiciary, and the political class. History will remember not the press statements, but whether justice was truly done.
society
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship.
The Chief Imam of Agelete Central Mosque, Ikoyi Lagos, Alhaji Jamiu Asanbe, has urged Muslims to remain sincere in their acts of worship and avoid the temptation of seeking public praise for good deeds.
The respected Islamic scholar gave this admonition while delivering a lecture at the OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture, held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Lagos.
Speaking on the importance of sincerity in Islam, Sheikh Asanbe cautioned Muslim faithful against what he described as “showboating” — the practice of performing charitable acts or religious duties merely to gain recognition or admiration from others.
According to him, every act of worship in Islam must be done purely for the sake of Almighty Allah.
He explained that while acts such as prayer, fasting, and charity are fundamental pillars of faith, their true value lies in the intention behind them.
The cleric therefore encouraged Muslims to remain genuine in their devotion and avoid mixing their faith with the desire for worldly praise or attention.
Sheikh Asanbe also reminded the faithful that the holy month of Ramadan presents a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal. He urged believers to increase acts of generosity, particularly by supporting the needy, vulnerable members of society, and orphans.
Earlier in her remarks, the Convener of the Ramadan Lecture and CEO of OWUTU FM, Hajia Adejoke Muyibat Balogun, encouraged attendees to use the sacred month as a time for reflection, self-improvement, and community development.
She described the lecture theme as carefully selected to promote spirituality, strengthen faith, and encourage peaceful coexistence within the community.
Balogun expressed appreciation to the numerous guests and supporters who attended the event, noting that their presence reflected the strong bond within the community.
She further reaffirmed OWUTU FM’s commitment to sustaining the annual Ramadan Lecture, praying for Allah’s continued guidance and mercy in the years ahead.
The 2026 edition of the Ramadan Lecture attracted dignitaries and representatives from various organisations including Uzamot Communications, Okutex Fabrics, and the Yeye Asiwaju of Ojota Kingdom.
The event also featured engaging activities such as a quiz competition, where winners were presented with gifts. In the spirit of Ramadan, iftar meals were shared with guests, reinforcing the values of unity, generosity, and compassion that define the holy month.
Through initiatives like this, OWUTU FM continues to play a vital role in promoting faith-based dialogue, community engagement, and social harmony.
Tinubu Abroad, Nigeria in Chaos: The Spectacle of Elite Excess
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
“Government officials queue to bid him farewell as he departs, only to rush ahead and line up again to welcome him at his destination; a stark display of misaligned priorities in Nigerian leadership.”
Wednesday, March18, 2026
In a spectacle that has plunged Nigeria’s political class into fresh ignominy, a long line of federal ministers, governors, senators and political hangers‑on queued outside a London hotel this week to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR upon his arrival in the United Kingdom for a two‑day state visit.
Not only did these government officials send off Mr. Tinubu as he departed Nigeria (a ritual in itself excessive given the scale of pressing national crises) they rushed ahead to London to line the halls of his hotel, applauding and greeting him like conquering heroes arriving on foreign shores. This is how Nigeria’s elites now comport themselves while millions of citizens endure ever‑deepening hardship.
A Travesty of Priorities
Tinubu’s visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is officially billed as an effort to deepen trade relations, attract investment and strengthen bilateral cooperation between Britain and Africa’s most populous nation. While those diplomatic objectives in theory could benefit Nigeria, the optics of an entire political class fawning over a president abroad are unbearably grim against the backdrop of domestic suffering.
According to recent economic analysis, despite macroeconomic adjustments such as ending fuel subsidies and floating the naira, more than 60% of Nigerians still live in poverty and daily hardships are rampant. Security remains a grave concern with violence and banditry destabilising large swathes of the country. Instead of addressing these crises with urgency, Nigeria’s leadership appears fascinated with photo‑ops overseas.
“A System of Self‑Centred Elites”
Critics within Nigeria have not minced words. Political observers describe the spectacle as a display of self‑centred politics divorced from the realities facing ordinary citizens. One observer on social platforms summed up the broader sentiment: “Tinubu represents a system of self‑centred elites (elite consensus over popular will) and this is exactly the performative politics that lines like these embody.”
Dr. Godfrey Mwakikagile, a respected African scholar on post‑colonial governance, has long warned that bad leadership and lack of accountability are Africa’s greatest challenges. “Power in many African states is too centralised and concentrated in the hands of elites who use it to perpetuate themselves at the expense of the public good,” Mwakikagile recently argued; a critique that resonates all the more when ministers fly abroad not to pursue tangible policy but to line up like admirers.
The Cost of Foreign Pageantry
This isn’t the first time Tinubu’s foreign engagements have attracted scrutiny. His administration’s frequent travels (often with large entourages) have drawn criticism for prioritising optics over outcomes, especially when Nigeria’s economy contracts and its people struggle with food inflation and insecurity.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has been among the most vocal domestic critics of these priorities, noting that Tinubu’s extensive foreign travel (including to the UK) distracts from urgent national needs and has become a “matter of grave concern.” Obi insists that such actions reveal a leadership more interested in global visibility than domestic wellbeing.
Nigeria Jagajaga!
The phrase “Nigeria jagajaga” (loosely translated as Nigeria being in disarray) has never felt more apt. A nation where ministers greet presidents in plush foreign suites while citizens queue for food and services is a country deeply out of balance.
Instead of being welcomed like dignitaries abroad, ministers and governors should be at home addressing the root causes of Nigeria’s struggles: insecurity that displaces communities and kills livelihoods, an economy that leaves the majority impoverished despite reforms, and the persistent failings of governance that erode public trust.
What Nigerians Deserve
President Tinubu and his entourage should be judged not by the number of ministers who lined up to greet him in London, but by the lives changed back in Nigeria.
As scholars like Mwakikagile and critics like Obi remind us, political leadership must be accountable and grounded in service, not spectacle. Nigeria’s leaders owe the people more than applause at international hotels; they owe them safety, economic opportunity, and genuine progress.
If this nation is ever to break free from the cycle of “jagajaga,” then those in power must demonstrate sincerity, not pageantry; action, not admiration. The lines outside a London hotel are not a testament to leadership; they are a testament to where Nigeria’s priorities have tragically come to rest.
GENERAL BULAMA BIU MOURNS VICTIMS OF BORNO ATTACKS, CALLS FOR UNITY AND VIGILANCE**
In a solemn and heartfelt message, Major General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu (Rtd), mni, the Sarkin Yakin Biu, has expressed profound grief over the recent tragic incidents of bomb explosions in Maiduguri and renewed violent attacks in several communities across Borno State.
This was contained in a statement he personally signed and made available to the press.
The retired senior military officer described the assaults which affected areas including Ngoshe, Mandiragirau, Ajiri, and Buratai as “cruel and most barbaric,” particularly as they occurred during a period of deep religious observance for many residents. General Biu extended his condolences to His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Executive Governor of Borno State, the people of the state, and especially the immediate families of the victims.
“These unfortunate attacks have painfully led to the loss of innocent lives and destruction of properties, a painful reminder of the challenges we continue to face as a people,” he stated.
General Biu prayed that Almighty Allah grants the deceased eternal rest (Jannatul Firdaus) and grants the injured a speedy recovery. He also commended the bravery and swift response of security agencies and emergency responders, acknowledging their tireless efforts to protect lives and restore peace in the state.
Addressing the resilient people of Borno, including elders, community leaders, associations, and the vibrant youth, General Biu urged steadfastness, unity, and increased vigilance. “Let us once again rejig our commitment and ensure we overcome this development. We have done it in time past, we can still do it now together,” he emphasized.
He further called on citizens not to allow “these cowardly acts to break our spirit or weaken our collective resolve to achieve lasting peace and stability.”
In strong terms, General Biu declared his solidarity with Governor Zulum, the state government, stakeholders, and all well-meaning citizens in condemning the attacks. He concluded his message with a prayer: “May Allah (SWT) bring lasting peace to Borno State and the entire nation.”
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