Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju has questioned why former Kogi state Governor Yahaya Bello still remains a free man, while over 30 #endbadgovernance protesters are still in police custody.
In a viral video on social media, Adeyanju questioned why The Ex Governor has not been apprehended by the police when he is accused of money laundering totaling N80 billion.
He stated, "The government should focus on more serious issues and arrest Yahaya. He seems to be above the law. Why are we here? Let's get serious. People were killed in Yobe, and the government isn't outraged, but they are focused on arresting 30 protesters. How can you call protesting a crime?"
He proceeded to asking the Nigerian government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) their reasons for being reluctant in the arrest Yahaya Bello.
"Why are you afraid to arrest Yahaya Bello? ", he questioned.
Meanwhile, the EFCC had also leveled new corruption charges against Bello, who is still wanted for a previous money laundering case.
The EFCC accuses Mr. Bello in the new case of dishonestly diverting over 110 billion naira from the Kogi State Government's treasury during his eight years as governor.
The fresh case was filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Tuesday. This adds to pending Yahaya’s legal troubles, as he has been evasive and avoiding summons related to a previous money laundering case involving an alleged diversion of over N80 billion pending against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Adeyanju further declared that the former governor is not in any way, above the law whilst emphasizing that Yahaya no longer enjoys immunity and, hence should be arrested and prosecuted.
However , Adeyanju allegedly mentioned that the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, President ,Bola Ahmed Tinubu was shielding Bello from being arrested by security agents.
“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, but also, no positive result so far”, Adeyanju said.
