THE YAHAYA BELLO VS EFCC DRAMA: THE NEED FOR RESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW
For much of human history, rulers and law were synonymous — law was simply the will of the ruler. A first step away from such tyranny was the notion of rule by law, including the notion that even a ruler is under the law and should rule by virtue of legal means.
Democracies went further by establishing the rule of law. Although no society or government system is problem-free, rule of law protects fundamental political, social, and economic rights and reminds us that tyranny and lawlessness are not the only alternatives.
Rule of law means that no individual, president or private citizen, stands above law. Democratic governments exercise authority by way of law and are themselves subject to law’s constraints.
Laws should express the will of the people, not the whims of kings, dictators, military officials, religious leaders, or self-appointed political parties.
The recent debacle between the former Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the formers residence in Abuja leaves a sour taste in the mouths of every lover of democracy. This is so as the former Governor, having held the exalted office of Executive Governor of the State, swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under which he derived his powers as then Governor to carry out all activities.
As a mark of respect for that office, it became imperative that he ought to submit himself to the same laws that he swore to uphold. This is truer as he is a leader to many persons in the state and outside the state. As a leader it is expected that protecting and promoting the rule of law and especially guarding the Constitutional entities that are created to uphold accountability and Transparency in governance such as the EFCC should be his major role and objective.
There is no gain saying that there has been bad blood between the Agency and the former Governor, however, it is very important as has been stated by the Attorney General of the Federation, that everyone invited in an investigation, must show respect to Nigeria and Nigerians by making themselves available to the authorities. The maxim in our jurisprudence is that EVERYONE IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION.
Finally, it is important that despite our love for the former Governor and our insistence on his innocence, it is vital that no one, no matter his or her position, whether having immunity or not, should prevent the rule of law from taking its course. That is what makes us a democracy and we must all abide by it so that future generation will imbibe the virtue of respect for constituted authority.
We may be benefiting from obstruction of justice today, but tomorrow we could be at the receiving end.
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HAMZA ALIYU
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR