Kogi N80bn Fraud: Yahaya Bello Not Above Law – Adeyanju

Deji Adeyanju, the popular Nigerian activist lawyer, has declared that former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, is not above the law.

Adeyanju said President Bola Tinubu was shielding Bello from being arrested by security agents.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had initiated fraud cases against Bello over the misappropriation of N80.2 billion while in office.

Attempts by EFCC to arrest Bello and ensure he faces prosecution have failed as the whereabouts of the former governor remain unknown.

There are claims that the former governor is hiding in the Kogi State Government House under the instruction of Governor Usman Ododo.

However, speaking with Arise News, the activist said Bello no longer enjoys immunity and, hence should be arrested and prosecuted.

He said: “People say Yahaya Bello is above the law. No, he is not. It is the president that is shielding Yahaya Bello because there is no way that a man would be alleged of stealing 80 billion (naira), the EFCC has gone to court, the EFCC has a warrant for his arrest, the EFCC attempted to arrest him, he evaded arrest.

“Bello, the former governor of Kogi State who is currently above the law, who no longer has immunity or enjoys immunity, Bello is free, walking the streets but protesters have been arrested here in Abuja and other parts of the country and they spent two weeks in custody for protesting.

“Their only crime is that they protested. In Katsina, protesters were arrested; they gave them a summary trial in a police station, then an adjournment was given for a month’s time. That means those protesters will be in custody for one month for protesting but Yahaya Bello walks free.”