Accusations have surfaced against Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, citing the misuse of his immunity to shield his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, according to Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole.
Ododo allegedly intervened to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from apprehending Bello, who is facing allegations of money laundering and corruption amounting to N80.2 billion.
The anti-corruption agency had conducted a raid on Bello’s residence in Abuja as part of their investigations, but Ododo’s intervention halted Bello’s arrest.
Following the incident, Bello was declared to be on the EFCC’s watchlist, with his whereabouts unknown.
In response to these events, the Kogi High Court ruled against the EFCC’s attempt to arrest Bello through a fundamental rights enforcement suit.
Oshiomhole criticized Ododo’s actions as a violation of the law, noting that the former governor’s evasion of court appearances further compounds the issue.
These remarks by Oshiomhole were made during the ‘Revisiting the national question: Nigeria’s elusive search for national integration’ international conference hosted by the Kukah Centre.
He emphasized the importance of speaking out against wrongdoing, regardless of the individuals involved, to address the challenges facing the nation.
He expressed his concerns by stating, “Courage is essential in addressing issues, irrespective of one’s position or influence. Avoiding accountability for powerful individuals only exacerbates our societal issues.”