In a recent revelation highlighted by Daily Post, Adams Oshiomhole, the Senator representing Edo North, has leveled accusations against Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, alleging that he exploited his immunity to shield his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, from legal accountability.
Oshiomhole criticized Ododo for purportedly misusing his immunity to obstruct the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to apprehend Bello, who stands accused of money laundering and corruption involving the staggering sum of N80.2 billion.
The EFCC's attempt to execute an arrest at Bello's residence in Abuja was allegedly thwarted by Ododo, who intervened on behalf of his predecessor, preventing the anti-graft agency from executing its mandate. Subsequently, Bello's whereabouts became unknown, prompting the EFCC to place him on a watchlist.
In a surprising turn of events, the Kogi High Court ruled against the EFCC's bid to apprehend Bello, citing a fundamental rights enforcement suit.
However, Oshiomhole condemned Ododo's intervention as a "rescue" operation for Bello, highlighting the former governor's conspicuous absence from court proceedings as a violation of the law.
In his words: “If you are afraid to mention the name of a former governor who breached the law and a sitting governor who used his immunity to cover a governor that lost immunity, where will the courage come from?
Speaking at the 'Revisiting the national question: Nigeria’s elusive search for national integration' international conference organized by the Kukah Centre, Oshiomhole underscored the importance of courage in addressing issues of legal transgression, irrespective of the individuals involved.
He criticized the reluctance to hold accountable individuals who flout the law, emphasizing the need for consistency in upholding justice, regardless of one's social or political standing. Oshiomhole decried the perceived double standards that shield the powerful while penalizing the less privileged, asserting that such disparities undermine the fabric of societal integrity.
In his impassioned address, Oshiomhole called for a departure from this culture of impunity, urging stakeholders to confront wrongdoing without fear or favor. He emphasized the pivotal role of accountability in fostering national cohesion and advancing the collective interests of the Nigerian populace.