Former Governor Yahaya Bello served as the Executive Governor of Kogi State for eight years, a period long enough to have established a world-class healthcare facility capable of addressing not only the needs of the public but also his personal medical concerns. However, he now seeks medical treatment abroad, even as a ₦80.2 billion embezzlement case looms over him.
Despite being one of the youngest governors during his tenure, Mr. Yahaya Bello demonstrated a troubling disregard for accountability and visionary leadership.
He has consistently evaded justice and avoided arrest for several years. Now, following increased scrutiny and criminal prosecution, he cites questionable medical grounds as justification for international travel.
His conduct represents a profound disappointment to the younger generation, who once saw his rise to leadership as a beacon of hope and progress.
On one occasion, he was recorded on a video, sitting inside a brand-new, customised Mercedes-Benz, relishing and indulging in the luxury of its abundant "bling-bling" with the enthusiasm reminiscent of a gangster rapper over his latest acquisition or a child receiving a coveted Christmas gift. No sense of dignity or shame. And no apprehension of public opprobrium. It is a free world.
Furthermore, a sitting governor who misappropriates public funds in hard currency to prepay his children’s private school fees, despite their not yet being in those classes, warrants a strict penalty. Such accountability should serve as a deterrent to others who might consider similar abuses of public trust.
This trial serves as a significant litmus test for the impartiality, independence, and integrity of Nigeria's criminal justice system.
As a high-profile figure facing serious allegations, including the misappropriation of ₦80.2 billion in public funds, how his case is handled will either reinforce public confidence in the rule of law or further erode trust in the institutions tasked with administering justice.
The principle of equality before the law is a cornerstone of any democratic society. If the legal process is perceived as being manipulated to favour the powerful or politically connected, it not only undermines the credibility of judicial institutions but also sets a dangerous precedent for selective justice.
On the other hand, a fair, transparent, and expeditious trial, free from political interference or undue delay, would affirm the judiciary’s commitment to upholding justice without fear or favour.
In this context, the Bello case is more than a matter of individual accountability; it is a defining moment for the credibility of Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts and the broader integrity of its legal system.
June 28, 2025
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