Adams Oshiomhole, the Senator representing Edo North, has accused Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State of misusing his immunity to shield his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, from the law. Oshiomhole criticized Ododo for intervening and preventing 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 EFCC had conducted a raid on Bello’s residence in Abuja as part of their investigation, but Ododo’s interference led to the agency being unable to arrest the former governor. Subsequently, Bello’s whereabouts were declared unknown, and he was placed on a watchlist by the EFCC. Despite the EFCC’s efforts, the Kogi High Court ruled against the agency’s attempt to arrest Bello in a fundamental rights enforcement suit.
Oshiomhole condemned Ododo’s actions as a violation of the law, stating that the governor’s protection of Bello and the former governor’s evasion of court proceedings are unacceptable. He expressed his concerns during the ‘Revisiting the national question: Nigeria’s elusive search for national integration’ international conference organized by the Kukah Centre, emphasizing the need for courage to hold individuals accountable regardless of their status. Oshiomhole highlighted the importance of addressing corruption and upholding the rule of law to tackle the challenges facing Nigeria.
