Editorial Opinion
Yaya Bello – The EFCC, DSS, NIA Conspiracy Game
The Police, Department of State Security, DSS, National Intelligence Agency, NIA, etcetera, are under the Office Of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, who coordinates Nigeria’s security architecture.
These agencies are supposed to work in unison under the synergy of providing comprehensive security services to the nation.
Ceteris paribus, the Police, DSS and the NIA are supposed to have regular collaborative process that should tackle security breaches and arrest alleged suspects, especially when the issue of the rule of law and criminal matters are concerned.
That Yaya Bello could casually ‘stroll’ in and out of the offices of the EFCC without being detained as he had been declared wanted by the EFCC long past six months ago. Is there an ‘understanding’ between the EFCC and Bello that Nigerians are yet to know, so much that he was allowed to walk away like an angel?
And, so where’s the extant synergy that is the fulcrum and nexus that binds security agencies together as a unit that is under the NSA and the presidency?
Would it be wrong to assume that the EFCC chairman, Mr. Olukoyede, in cahoot with the IGP and DG of the DSS not to robustly ‘smoke out’ Bello, especially considering the fact that they are a behemoth? Their combined intelligence capacity can, if the body language of the president approves such action, not immediately bring Bello to book?
Is Bello enjoying the political privilege of being a member of the APC and compensation for his ‘hard work’ towards the election of President Tinubu in the 2023 election campaign? This may be the case, especially if we subject the statement of Senator Adams Oshiomhole to forensic analysis, “Anyone that defects to the APC will be forgiven his/her sins.” The sudden muted voice and actions of the chairman of the EFCC on the arrest and prosecution of the immediate Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Beta Edu, is a classic reference point. The presidency, especially the media aides of the president, who are quick to react to criticisms, have deliberately avoided to comment on the BetaEduGate affair! So, what does that portend for the Bello matter?
Whether we acknowledge it or not, the political body language of the president is a function of who is arrested or prosecuted for glaring infractions. You can take this to the Bank.
We can also extrapolate this on the ongoing, unnecessary ‘gra-gra’ of the NNPCL to forcibly arm twist the Dangote Refinery Limited, DRL, to sell her refined petrol at the rate fixed by NNPCL. Let’s not forget, the DRL is a private business entity, not a subsidiary or subunit of the NNPCL. By the extant law that establishes the NNPCL, it is a petroleum refining company but the recently passed PIA Bill has further empowered her to act as a regulator of private refineries, especially through her subsidiaries. Without the body language of the president, the NNPCL will not have the moral audacity of a meddlesome interloper to dictate to the DRL but again, the president’s body language approves the NNPCL to impose her monopolistic rascality on the DRL. Don’t forget the Minister of Petroleum has two caps on his head!
Is it not baffling that officers under the services of the Police and DSS provide Bello with security. These officers were deployed to protect Bello by the IGP and DG of the DSS! So, who is playing this conspiracy ‘game of thrones’?
Going forward, the NSA, IGP, NIA and DG of the DSS, altogether, have read the body language of Mr. President not to robustly collaborate to arrest Yaya Bello. Notwithstanding, public opprobrium tide is fast rising against the EFCC and the other agencies, so much that it is just a matter of time, they will be forced to move against Bello and bring him in for prosecution.
Let’s face it, if President Tinubu is truly interested in fighting corruption, the Yaya Bello case represents a flagship for his fight against corruption to all and sundry.
As Commander-In-Chief, C-in-C, what President Tinubu has to do is to say the magic words, “I order all security officers protecting Yaya Bello to stand down and allow the EFCC to do its job.” Woe betide that security officer who will not obey the C-in-C.
Nigeria, We Hail Thee!