EFCC vs Bello: When law enforcement becomes a circus act

In a country where the price of fuel has skyrocketed past ₦1000, you’d think we’d have our fill of drama. But no, Nigeria continues to outdo itself, serving up spectacles that make Netflix look like amateur hour.

The latest episode in our national soap opera? The farcical face-off between former Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Let’s set the stage, shall we? For over 150 days, Bello had been playing hide-and-seek with the EFCC, who had declared him wanted. Then, in a twist that would make even the most seasoned screenwriters blush, Bello decided to make a grand entrance at the EFCC headquarters. Picture this: the former governor, swaggering in with his successor, Usman Ododo, in tow. Cameras rolling, flashbulbs popping – it was less a submission to justice and more a red-carpet event.

But wait, there’s more! After this impromptu photo op, Bello and his entourage simply… left. The EFCC, caught flat-footed, mumbled something about “protocol violations.” Protocol violations? We’re talking about a man declared wanted, not someone who showed up to a dinner party without a tie. The fact that he was allowed to saunter away speaks volumes about the state of our law enforcement.

Just when you thought the circus couldn’t get any more absurd, the EFCC decided to up the ante. In a move that would make the Nyanya police look competent, they staged a raid on Bello’s apartment. Reports of gunshots filled the air, turning what should have been a routine legal procedure into a scene from a low-budget action movie.

Let’s pause for a moment and consider the sheer recklessness of this act. Gunshots? In a residential area? What if tragedy had struck? The EFCC’s silence on these allegations is deafening. In their overzealous attempt to nab Bello, they’ve managed to do the impossible – garner sympathy for Bello.

It’s a plot twist worthy of a Nollywood blockbuster.

This entire fiasco raises serious questions about the EFCC’s competence and strategy. Are we to believe that an organization tasked with combating financial crimes couldn’t manage to detain a man who waltzed into their headquarters? And when that failed, their backup plan was to stage a raid that wouldn’t look out of place in a Zeb Ejiro movie.

The EFCC’s actions reek of desperation and poor planning. It’s as if they’re more concerned with creating headlines than actually enforcing the law. This shoot-first-ask-questions-later approach is not only dangerous but also undermines the very principles of justice they’re supposed to uphold.

Moreover, this spectacle draws attention away from the real issues at hand. Bello is accused of serious financial crimes, allegations that deserve thorough investigation.

Instead, we’re treated to a sideshow that does nothing to address the core problem of corruption in our political system.

Let’s not forget the broader context here. Nigeria is grappling with a cost-of-living crisis, with fuel prices soaring beyond ₦1000. Citizens are struggling to make ends meet, and what does our law enforcement offer? A poorly executed drama that solves nothing and embarrasses everyone involved.

This debacle also highlights a worrying trend in our approach to fighting corruption. We seem to have confused spectacle with effectiveness. Raiding homes and firing guns might make for exciting news, but does it actually serve justice? Or does it merely create a smokescreen, allowing the truly corrupt to operate in the chaos?

The EFCC needs to take a hard look at its methods. Law enforcement should be methodical, not melodramatic. If they have evidence against Bello, present it in court. If they don’t, stop wasting resources on these theatrical productions. The Nigerian public deserves better than this farce masquerading as justice.

As for Bello, his brazen appearance at the EFCC headquarters speaks volumes about the state of our political class.

Needless to say, this entire episode is a damning indictment of our approach to fighting corruption. It’s time for the EFCC to grow up and start acting like the serious law enforcement agency it’s supposed to be. We need less drama and more diligence, less showmanship and more substance.

To the EFCC, I say this: Stop the clowning. We’ve got enough on our plates without your added circus act. The Nigerian people are watching, and frankly, we’re not entertained. It’s high time you remembered your mandate and started serving justice, not comedy.

And to my fellow Nigerians, I say this: Keep your Netflix subscriptions. At least there, the drama has a resolution. In our real-life political theatre, it seems the farce is destined to continue, act after ridiculous act, with no end in sight.