Kogi Group Urges President Tinubu To Stay Neutral In Yahaya Bello Trial

A civil society coalition, the Movement for the Emancipation of Kogi State (MEKSTA), has issued a passionate plea to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to refrain from interfering in the ongoing corruption trials of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

In a strongly worded statement released in Abuja and signed by nine representatives from all federal constituencies of Kogi State, MEKSTA commended the Nigerian Judiciary for what it described as its “forthrightness, fearlessness and good conscience” in prosecuting the N110 billion fraud case involving the former governor.

MEKSTA particularly lauded recent judicial milestones in the case. These include the seizure of assets worth N80 billion by order of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, affirmed by the Court of Appeal in Lagos. The group also highlighted the Federal High Court in Abuja’s scheduled hearing for further proceedings in October and November 2025, as evidence that justice is on course.

“As against spirited efforts to tar-brush the nation’s judiciary, we actually do have in place a justice system capable of being dispassionate and objective,” the group said.

However, MEKSTA raised concern over what it described as a “media campaign” aimed at politicizing the case and portraying Bello as a political asset indispensable to Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

“There are reports and insinuations that Bello is working with contacts close to the President to prevail on him for the termination and indefinite adjournment of the relevant cases, for political expediency,” the statement warned.

Citing precedent, MEKSTA reminded President Tinubu that no former governor in the Fourth Republic has been arraigned for an amount as high as N110 billion, arguing that the charges against Bello surpass those brought against former governors like Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, James Ibori, Joshua Dariye, and Jolly Nyame.

The group described Bello’s rule as a dark period for Kogi State, likening the suffering of its citizens under his administration to that of the Israelites in Egypt.

“Permanent Secretaries lack official vehicles. Judges and magistrates resort to hitchhiking on tricycles. The State House of Assembly has become a rubber stamp. Local government funds are centrally controlled and reportedly siphoned through a monthly subvention to Bello, allegedly as high as N2 billion,” the group alleged.

MEKSTA further cited the public outrage that followed Bello’s alleged acquisition of a N1.2 billion luxury SUV, stating that such excesses reflect the “incestuous relationship” between Bello and his hand-picked successor, Governor Ahmed Ododo.

Despite these grievances, MEKSTA acknowledged President Tinubu’s infrastructural and political efforts across Kogi State, expressing appreciation for key appointments and ongoing federal projects like the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant and road developments across Kogi East, Central, and West.

“The people of Kogi State will vote for you on account of your visible endeavours in the state, not because of brutes who kill, maim and destroy,” the group emphasized.

Reaffirming its confidence in the president’s legacy as a respecter of rule of law, MEKSTA concluded with a solemn call:

“Mr President, MEKSTA desires that you maintain your neutrality in the Yahaya Bello trial and allow the law to take its due course. Your success is better assured without the stained and blemished hands of Yahaya Bello.”

Signatories to the statement include:

• Hon. Obafemi Medaiyese (Yagba Federal Constituency)
• Comrade Joseph Mebatonije (Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu)
• Alhaji Yusuf Kpareke (Lokoja/Kotonkarfe)
• Mallam Jimoh Ozovehe (Adavi/Okehi)
• Dr. Nurudeen Adaviriku (Okene/Ogori-Magongo)
• Alhaji Isiaka Momoh (Ajaokuta)
• Chief Ojonimi Adegbe (Idah/Igalamela/Ofu)
• Pastor Mark Onucheyo (Dekina/Bassa)
• Bishop Husseini Saidu (Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro)