Politics
Yahaya Bello Supporters Perform Rituals To Thwart EFCC Arrest (Video)
Yahaya Bello supporters have conducted rituals to prevent his arrest by the EFCC, following a video that surfaced online.
Yahaya Bello supporters have conducted rituals to prevent his arrest by the EFCC, following a video that surfaced online.
Bello faces charges for financial misconduct, including money laundering and misappropriation of N80.2 billion.
This event reflects the cultural dynamics influencing political and legal processes in Nigeria.
In an unusual twist to ongoing legal proceedings, supporters of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello have reportedly turned to ritualistic practices in an attempt to protect him from arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
VerseNews reports that this development comes after the EFCC intensified its efforts to bring Bello to justice over allegations involving massive financial irregularities.
A video that surfaced online seen by this Online News Platform shows a group of individuals, identified as staunch supporters of Bello, engaged in what appear to be traditional protective rituals. These rituals are purportedly aimed at safeguarding the former governor, who has been evading arrest following charges of money laundering and misappropriation of public funds totaling N80.2 billion.
This peculiar turn of events is linked to the recent actions taken by the EFCC and the judiciary. Just last month, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an arrest warrant for Bello, as reported by VerseNews. The judge’s decision followed Bello’s failure to appear in court for his scheduled arraignment, leading to heightened efforts by the EFCC to locate and apprehend him.
In December 2023, VerseNews gathered that the EFCC made headlines when it seized over $760,000 paid by Bello to the American International School in Abuja for his children’s tuition, suspecting these funds to be proceeds of money laundering. This move was part of a broader crackdown involving several high-profile figures and their dealings through shadowy financial transactions.
The resort to rituals by Bello’s supporters highlights the deep cultural and communal ties that influence political processes in some regions of Nigeria. It also underscores the challenges law enforcement agencies face in executing their mandates when confronting politically sensitive cases.
The EFCC has not yet commented on the emergence of the video or the actions of Bello’s supporters. However, agency officials have previously emphasized their commitment to uphold the rule of law and ensure that all individuals implicated in corrupt practices are brought to justice, irrespective of their status or the nature of their backing.
As this situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the interplay between traditional beliefs and the judicial process will affect the ongoing efforts to prosecute Yahaya Bello and restore public trust in Nigeria’s governance systems.
Watch as Yahaya Bello Supporters perform ritual
Another video: Supporters of Yahaya Bello are performing rituals to prevent him from being arrested by the EFCC. pic.twitter.com/npHyAIg2Su— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) April 23, 2024