By Capital Watch Media
National President of Almushahid Initiative for Transparency and Accountability(AITA) Amb. Aminu Majidadi has described the bail term for former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello over N80 billion fraud while he was governor as unacceptable.
In a statement issued today, AITA, a leading Civil Society Organization (CSO), in the fight against corruption has strongly criticized the decision by the Federal High Court in Abuja to grant bail to Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi State, in the sum of ₦500 million with two sureties, despite accusations of embezzling over ₦80 billion from public coffers.
The group expressed dismay at the seemingly lenient bail conditions, which they believe send a dangerous message about the state of impunity and corruption within the Nigerian justice system. AITA noted that such decisions reinforce the idea that those in power can evade the law, and that the judiciary’s actions have further eroded public confidence.
Reacting to the court ruling, Amb. Majidadi emphasized the need for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s judicial and governance systems. The organization criticized the handling of high-profile corruption cases, saying that the leniency shown to influential figures like Bello undermines efforts to combat corruption and perpetuates a culture where public officeholders feel above the law.
“We, as an organization and concerned citizens, have lost so much faith in the judiciary. The decision to grant bail in such a high-stakes case exemplifies the troubling state of our institutions. It’s no longer just a matter of legal procedures; we are seeing the institutionalization of corruption at all levels. It’s an indication that Nigeria is heading down a dangerous path, one that could eventually mirror the instability of nations like Somalia,” He said.
The president concluded by calling for a total overhaul of the country’s legal and governance structures, urging Nigerians to demand accountability and transparency from their leaders and the judiciary.
