The Movement for the Emancipation of Kogi State (MEKSTA) has cautioned the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Department of State Services (DSS), to be professional and impartial in the ongoing N10 billion fraud case against former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.
At Monday’s continuation of the case before Justice James K. Omotosho, court registrars Nasiru Onimisi Zubairu and his accomplice, Dauda Sulaiman, appeared in court as free citizens, despite a clear order that they be remanded in the custody of the police and DSS.
MEKSTA in a Statement described their courtroom appearance as a direct violation of Justice Omotosho’s directive, raising serious questions about the impartiality of the proceedings.
The group accused the officials of tampering with key evidence, including WhatsApp messages, and allowing ethnic considerations to influence their actions.
In court, Zubairu admitted he had been offered a house as gratification to delete messages from exhibits that reportedly contained records of cash movements ranging from N30 million to N100 million.
The deleted chats implicated incumbent Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo, the Auditor-General for local governments under Bello, and Abdulsalami Hudu, a cashier in Government House, Lokoja, as couriers of these funds.
MEKSTA condemned what it called the “unprofessional and unbecoming conduct” of the NPF and DSS. “Prime intelligence and security agencies are expected to uphold the law and remain above board,” the group said. “Allowing Messrs Zubairu and Sulaiman to attend court from their homes undermines the gravity of the allegations and suggests a two-tier system of justice favoring the wealthy and influential.”
The group called on Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and DSS Director-General, Tosin Adeola, to investigate the breach and ensure their officers comply with judicial directives. “There cannot be two sets of rules in Nigeria,” MEKSTA stated. “Millions of Nigerians are watching to see whether the law applies equally to all.”
MEKSTA urged authorities to restore seriousness and integrity to the case in the coming days, emphasizing that public confidence in the judiciary hinges on fairness and accountability.
The statement was jointly signed by Hon. Obafemi Medaiyese (Yagba Federal Constituency), Comrade Joseph Mebatonije (Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency), Alhaji Yusuf Kpareke (Lokoja/Kotonkarfe Federal Constituency), Mallam Jimoh Ozovehe (Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency), Dr. Nurudeen Adaviriku (Okene/Ogori-Magongo), Alhaji Isiaka Momoh (Ajaokuta Federal Constituency) and Chief Ojonimi Adegbe (Idah/Igalamela-Odolu/Ofu/Ibaji Federal Constituency)
Others are, Pastor Mark Onucheyo (Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency), and Bishop Husseini Saidu (Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro Federal Constituency).
