By Professor John Oshodi

The Mockery of Justice—The Yeye Too Much, EFCC’s Hilarious Embarrassment, Judicially Tied Hands: Tinubu’s Laughable Indifference, and Ododo’s Pathetic Shielding of Bello—A Comedic Reflection of Nigeria’s Rampant Corruption, Breathtaking Impunity, and the Absurd Erosion of Justice in a Nation That Claims to Uphold the Rule of Law. This absurd spectacle highlights the grim reality facing Nigeria, where political shenanigans and a complete absence of accountability allow powerful figures to dance around justice, turning the very principles of governance into a farce. The deafening silence from leadership and the clumsy ineffectiveness of law enforcement, compounded by a judicial system that appears complicit, lay bare a deeply rooted culture of impunity that not only mocks the rule of law but also continues to shatter the public’s trust in the very institutions meant to safeguard their rights.

The unraveling crisis surrounding Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo and his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, is not merely an isolated incident of corruption—it is a profound national disgrace that lays bare the collapse of governance in Nigeria. Yahaya Bello, accused of embezzling an eye-watering ₦80.2 billion, should, by any measure of justice, be facing swift prosecution. Instead, what we see is Governor Ododo exploiting his political immunity to shield both himself and Bello from the consequences of their actions, turning Nigeria’s rule of law into a cruel farce.

This isn’t just about the failure of one individual or a single institution—it’s a symptomatic reflection of the deeper rot within Nigeria’s political and judicial systems. Ododo’s actions, compounded by President Tinubu’s scandalous silence, have thrown the country’s democratic principles into utter disarray. The absence of justice is not just a national shame; it is an international embarrassment, one that underscores the collapse of a nation that was once poised for progress but now languishes in an abyss of corruption, lawlessness, and impunity. While accountability becomes a distant memory, the international community looks on with disgust at the mockery of governance in Nigeria.

The Presidency’s Deafening Silence: Tinubu’s Complicity

The most damning aspect of this ongoing debacle is not merely Ododo’s blatant abuse of power but the shameless silence from the presidency under Bola Tinubu. This is not just shocking—it is outright scandalous. Tinubu, who came into power on a platform of reform and integrity, has failed miserably to confront this glaring issue. His administration’s inaction is more than negligence—it is an unforgivable betrayal of the Nigerian people, who are being told through this silence that corruption will continue to thrive under the protection of the highest office in the land.

Tinubu’s unwillingness to act is nothing short of complicity. It signals to the public that the presidency will tolerate corruption, no matter how bold or catastrophic, as long as it serves the political elites. The message is clear: accountability in Nigeria is a ghost, and justice exists only for the select few who can afford to manipulate it. This national silence isn’t just an oversight—it’s an endorsement of lawlessness. When the highest office in the land fails to act, it becomes clear that the system is rigged, with the political elite safeguarded by a presidency that turns a blind eye to their misdeeds.

Ododo’s Weaponization of Political Immunity

Governor Usman Ododo’s manipulation of constitutional immunity is not just an insult to the Nigerian people—it is a direct assault on the integrity of the Nigerian state. Political immunity, a provision meant to protect the office, has now become a tool for emboldening criminals who plunder public resources. Ododo’s blatant disregard for the law, by using his position to shield himself and Yahaya Bello, is an affront to democracy. It represents a disturbing new low, where political figures are untouchable while the nation drowns in corruption and lawlessness.

This abuse of power sets a dangerous precedent, one that could pave the way for other politicians to evade justice by manipulating legal protections meant for governance, not criminality. By wielding immunity as a shield for corrupt allies, Ododo has turned Nigeria into a global laughingstock. The country’s democracy, once heralded as a beacon of hope in Africa, is now a mere façade, crumbling under the weight of corruption and the political elite’s immunity from accountability.

The EFCC: Caught in the Political Web

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), an institution once feared by corrupt officials, is now caught in a political web that has rendered it toothless. While the EFCC is far from perfect, its impotence in the face of political interference is not entirely its fault. The recent debacle, where EFCC agents were blocked from arresting Bello, is a glaring example of how the agency has been shackled by the political elite. The EFCC’s denial of access to Bello wasn’t just a procedural misstep—it was a public humiliation, showing just how powerless the institution has become in the face of those it is supposed to hold accountable.

The EFCC’s failure is symbolic of a larger tragedy: the collapse of Nigeria’s institutions under the weight of corruption. Once an agency that struck fear into the hearts of corrupt officials, it has now become a puppet, manipulated by the very politicians it was designed to investigate. The irony is painful to behold: an anti-corruption agency, handcuffed by corruption itself, unable to execute its mandate due to the overwhelming influence of political elites like Ododo and Bello.

The Judiciary and the Collapse of Accountability

The judiciary, much like the EFCC, is equally complicit in the collapse of accountability. The court system, along with the Attorney General’s office and the National Security Adviser (NSA), has failed spectacularly in upholding the rule of law. The judiciary has become an enabler, facilitating the manipulation of legal processes for political gain. Judges are either compromised, intimidated, or indifferent, and the Attorney General’s office has transformed into a political tool rather than a pillar of justice.

This collapse of accountability within the judiciary isn’t just a matter of procedural failure—it is an institutional disaster. The Nigerian public has lost faith in the legal system, which now serves the political class at the expense of justice. As a result, the judiciary has become a destabilizing force, further eroding the rule of law and reinforcing the dangerous perception that justice is unattainable for the common Nigerian.

Nigeria’s Global Shame: International Fallout

The crisis unfolding in Nigeria is not just a domestic issue—it is a global embarrassment. The international community is watching, and the message being sent is clear: Nigeria is a country where corruption thrives, accountability is nonexistent, and governance has collapsed. This scandal will have long-lasting repercussions on Nigeria’s reputation, undermining its standing on the world stage and jeopardizing crucial international partnerships.

Foreign investors and international bodies will think twice before engaging with a country that can’t even hold its own leaders accountable. Nigeria is rapidly becoming a pariah state, where corruption is the norm, and governance is a relic of the past. This is more than just a national disgrace—it is a stain on the country’s global reputation that will take years, if not decades, to erase.

The Spectacle of Militarization: The Collapse of Law and Order

The violent confrontation between EFCC operatives and Bello’s armed security detail is a clear indication that Nigeria is teetering on the brink of lawlessness. When politicians are allowed to engage in armed standoffs with law enforcement, the rule of law has effectively collapsed. This brazen display of militarization in the face of justice shows that Nigeria is no longer governed by its constitution but by violence and intimidation.

The Tinubu administration’s failure to address this militarization is appalling. Armed political thugs now dictate the terms, while the government cowers in silence. The message this sends to ordinary Nigerians is chilling: in Nigeria, power doesn’t come from the ballot box or the constitution—it comes from the barrel of a gun. This erosion of law and order threatens the very fabric of Nigerian society, turning the country into a battleground for political elites at the expense of national stability.

A Call to Action: The Fight for Nigeria’s Soul

Nigeria is at a critical juncture—either it confronts this systemic collapse head-on, or it will continue its descent into chaos and corruption. This is not just about the EFCC, Ododo, or Bello—it is about the survival of Nigeria as a functioning state. Civil society must rise up, not just to demand the resignation of compromised officials, but to overhaul the system that allows political immunity to shield criminality.

The world is watching, and the time for action is now. Nigeria’s future hangs in the balance, and unless urgent reforms are enacted to dismantle the structures of impunity, the country will continue its downward spiral into lawlessness and dysfunction. The fight for Nigeria’s soul has begun, and the stakes could not be higher.

The NSA and AGF: National Disgrace

The National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) have proven themselves unfit for their roles, their inaction in the face of blatant corruption more than mere negligence—it’s outright complicity. Their refusal to act in such a glaring situation of national importance signals to the rest of the political class that corruption is acceptable and that no real consequences will follow. By choosing to remain passive, they are effectively giving corrupt politicians a green light to act without fear of reprisal. This dereliction of duty will have far-reaching consequences, further destabilizing the rule of law and emboldening even more egregious acts of corruption in the future.

The Alarming Consequences: Public Safety and Security

The recent gun battles between EFCC operatives and Bello’s security detail are a direct threat to public safety. These violent confrontations are more than just a symptom of political infighting—they are an alarming indication that Nigeria is descending into lawlessness. When political elites can openly defy law enforcement with armed militias, the safety and security of the nation are at risk.

The government’s negligence in preventing the escalation of violence, particularly in this case, is a dangerous dereliction of its fundamental duty to protect citizens and uphold the rule of law. In any functional and responsible nation, the moment reports of these violent shootings surfaced, there would have been an immediate and coordinated response from other security and law enforcement agencies. These agencies would swiftly intervene to support the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and any other relevant authorities to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.

It is deeply troubling that Ododo, who seeks to wield political immunity to shield a nationally wanted figure like Bello, is allowed to manipulate this immunity to obstruct justice. Such actions not only undermine the integrity of law enforcement but also send a message of impunity to the broader public. In a non-dysfunctional state, Ododo’s attempts to leverage political privilege would be rendered ineffective by the collective responsibility of law enforcement agencies, whose mandate is to protect the public interest and ensure accountability. The goal should not be protecting political allies at the expense of law and order but upholding justice, regardless of the individual’s political connections or status.

The failure of these agencies to act swiftly and collaboratively is a reflection of broader systemic dysfunction. When political figures can interfere with the course of justice and violent acts go unchecked, it signals the breakdown of institutional responsibilities that, in a healthy democracy, should operate independently of political influence. In a situation such as this, law enforcement’s primary duty would be to restore order immediately, ensuring that violence does not spread and that all those responsible, including Bello, are held accountable. This dereliction of duty not only endangers the public but also erodes the trust that citizens place in their government and its ability to maintain law and order.

Moreover, the lack of intervention highlights a deeper issue of political immunity being used as a tool to avoid accountability, effectively shielding individuals from facing justice. If left unchecked, this sets a dangerous precedent, where those in power or their associates feel above the law, contributing to a culture of impunity that can further erode the rule of law. The government’s failure to act decisively not only jeopardizes the safety of its citizens but also risks normalizing a system where political loyalty outweighs justice. This negligence may ignite further unrest and violence, leading to a vicious cycle of instability that could have been prevented through responsible governance and proactive law enforcement.

Without immediate reforms, Nigeria risks further destabilization, where political power is no longer derived from democratic principles but from violent coercion. The collapse of law and order threatens not only the nation’s governance but its very existence. Time is running out for Nigeria to restore accountability, or it risks spiraling into a state of perpetual chaos.

The ongoing saga between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has reached a new chapter, with recent attempts by the EFCC to arrest him failing once again. On Wednesday night, again, EFCC operatives surrounded the state government lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, where Bello was reportedly hiding, but they could not apprehend him. Despite claiming he had come to honor an EFCC invitation, Bello returned to the Kogi State Government House shortly thereafter.

Sources revealed that the difficulty in arresting Bello stems from the protection he receives from the current governor, Usman Ododo, who has been accused of shielding his predecessor. An EFCC detective indicated that the agency’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, was cautious about the legal implications of arresting someone under the immunity granted to sitting governors. This restraint allowed Bello to escape yet again, utilizing the same evasive tactics he had employed previously; EFCC vs. Yahaya Bello – Ex-Governor Goes Back Into Hiding Again, ha-ha.

The situation underscores a troubling abuse of the rule of law in Nigeria. It is inconceivable that a former governor, deemed wanted nationally, could evade justice while being shielded by a sitting governor, regardless of whether he is associated with influential figures like President Tinubu or international leaders. This level of impunity reflects a systemic failure, where political connections undermine the enforcement of the law.

All of this plays out as a farce of corruption, stupidity, and nonsense—a mockery of a nation that claims to practice an American-style constitutional system and British-style rule of law. The shame is palpable, directed not only at Yahaya Bello and Usman Ododo but also at the Tinubu presidency, the EFCC, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). Shame on all of you for allowing this to happen!

Again, what a shame, u na yeye and mumu too much: EFCC’s embarrassment, Tinubu’s indifference, and Ododo’s pathetic defense of Bello—a stark reflection of Nigeria’s corruption, impunity, and the disgraceful erosion of justice in a nation that claims to uphold the rule of law. This situation encapsulates the disheartening reality facing Nigeria, where political machinations and a lack of accountability allow powerful figures to evade justice, mocking the very principles upon which the nation purports to stand. The complicit silence of leadership and the ineffectiveness of law enforcement reveal a deeply entrenched culture of impunity that continues to erode the public’s trust in institutions designed to protect them.

In conclusion, this ongoing saga epitomizes the painful reality of Nigeria, Africa’s largest nation. It exposes a society fragmented by corruption and impunity, where the pursuit of justice seems perpetually out of reach. As citizens endure a relentless cycle of disappointment and frustration, one must ponder: how long will this charade continue in a country that aspires to be a beacon of hope and progress? The shame extends beyond Yahaya Bello and Usman Ododo; it encompasses the entire leadership apparatus, including the Tinubu presidency and the institutions meant to uphold the law. This moment calls for urgent reflection and reform—Good God, what a nation!

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, is an American-based police and prison scientist, forensic psychologist, public policy psychologist, and legal psychologist. He’s a government advisor on forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA and the founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation for Psychological Health. With a significant role in introducing forensic psychology to Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, he’s also a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. He’s taught at esteemed institutions like Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, and more, and is currently an online faculty member at Weldios University, Nexus International University, and Walden University.