By: Comr. Danfulani Lukman
It is becoming painfully clear that what is unfolding between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has gone far beyond a quest for justice, it has become a full-blown witch hunt.
From the moment Bello left office, the EFCC has treated him less like a citizen under investigation and more like a political trophy to be dragged through the mud. Every move against him has been accompanied by a media frenzy carefully orchestrated to smear his name, provoke public outrage, and paint him guilty before any court pronouncement. This is not justice. It is persecution wrapped in the garb of anti-corruption.
Let’s be honest: if the EFCC truly believes in fairness, where are the cases against other former governors who have been openly accused of worse crimes? Why does it seem that Yahaya Bello’s name is the only one constantly being paraded on television, splashed across newspapers, and mocked on social media? Selective justice is injustice, and Nigerians are not blind to this hypocrisy.
Bello governed Kogi with courage and a clear vision. He took bold decisions that ruffled political feathers, stood his ground where others bowed, and built a political movement that gave hope to the young and the fearless. Today, it seems that same independence is being punished. The EFCC’s obsession with him is not about accountability anymore. It is about humiliation and control.
No one is above the law, yes. But no one should be beneath fairness either. The EFCC must be reminded that its duty is to fight corruption, not to fight individuals for political reasons. Its power should never be abused to serve unseen masters or settle political scores. If Yahaya Bello has questions to answer, let the law take its due course, not the court of public opinion.
Enough of the drama. Enough of the theatrics. Nigeria needs institutions that stand for truth, not vendetta. The EFCC must stop turning the anti-corruption crusade into a weapon of political persecution. Yahaya Bello deserves fair hearing, not public lynching.
At this point, it’s no longer about Bello alone. It’s about the credibility of our justice system. When the scales of justice tilt to one side, tomorrow, anyone could be the next victim. The EFCC must retrace its steps and remember that true justice is blind, not biased.
“When justice becomes a tool of revenge, it ceases to be justice, it becomes tyranny dressed in official robes.”