YAHAYA BELLO ATTEMPTING PLEA BARGAIN THROUGH EMIR OF BAUCHI — PRESIDENCY REFUSES

YAHAYA BELLO ATTEMPTING PLEA BARGAIN THROUGH EMIR OF BAUCHI — PRESIDENCY REFUSES

Lawan, Former Senate President, Reportedly Fronting the Deal

— Kogi Equity Alliance

According to sources within the EFCC, Yahaya Bello is desperately attempting a plea bargain arrangement using the Emir of Bauchi as an intermediary. Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan is reportedly fronting this effort.

The Presidency has refused.

Why This Matters

This confirms everything Kogi citizens suspected: Yahaya Bello knows the evidence against him is overwhelming. You don’t seek plea bargains when you’re innocent. You don’t deploy traditional rulers and former Senate Presidents as intermediaries when you have a legitimate defense.

The EFCC has presented:

– ₦10.27 billion in documented property acquisitions traced to state accounts

– ₦2.1 billion loan repaid using local government funds

– ₦241 million withdrawn from LGA accounts in two months for private use

– Bank compliance officers testifying under oath about Suspicious Transaction Reports

– 28 individuals making coordinated cash deposits on single days

– 30 withdrawals of ₦10 million each on August 1, 2019 alone

This is not evidence you negotiate away through traditional rulers. This is evidence you answer for in court.

What Plea Bargain Actually Means

Plea bargain is an admission of guilt in exchange for reduced punishment. If Yahaya Bello is seeking plea bargain, he’s essentially admitting:

– The evidence against him is too strong to defend in court

– He cannot explain the ₦10.27 billion in properties

– He cannot justify the systematic LGA account draining

– He cannot account for the Government House withdrawals

– He knows conviction is inevitable if trial proceeds

Why the Emir of Bauchi?

Remember the EFCC testimony: one of the properties purchased with Kogi State funds—the ₦900 million Maitama property at 35 Danube Street—belonged to “a Honourable from Bauchi State.” The Bauchi connection runs through the evidence.

Using the Emir suggests Yahaya Bello is leveraging every traditional and political connection to avoid full accountability. This is the classic playbook: when evidence is overwhelming, deploy respected traditional institutions to negotiate reduced consequences.

Why Lawan Is Fronting

Ahmad Lawan, former Senate President, represents the political establishment’s attempt to protect one of its own. This isn’t about Yahaya Bello’s innocence—it’s about preventing full accountability from setting precedent.

If a former governor faces complete asset forfeiture and maximum sentencing for documented treasury looting, it creates dangerous precedent for others who’ve engaged in similar practices. The political class has collective interest in ensuring Yahaya Bello’s case doesn’t become the standard for accountability.

Why the Presidency Refused

Credit where it’s due: President Tinubu’s administration has reportedly refused the plea bargain attempt.

This matters enormously.

It signals that political connections won’t shield documented treasury looters. It demonstrates that traditional rulers and former Senate Presidents cannot negotiate away evidence presented in Federal High Court. It shows the Presidency understands that accepting plea bargain for ₦10+ billion in documented theft would destroy all anti-corruption credibility.

Most importantly, it tells every sitting governor: you cannot loot state treasuries, deploy traditional rulers when caught, and expect political settlements.

What Kogi Citizens Must Do

Maintain maximum pressure. The fact that plea bargain was attempted means Yahaya Bello’s network still believes accountability can be negotiated. The fact that it was refused means the Presidency is currently holding the line. Our job is ensuring that line holds.

Demand complete prosecution. No plea bargains. No reduced charges. No “return half the money and walk away” settlements. Full trial, full conviction, complete asset forfeiture.

Monitor for backdoor deals. Just because the Presidency refused doesn’t mean attempts will stop. Watch for:

– Sudden trial delays or postponements

– Changes in prosecution team leadership

– Unexpected “procedural” dismissals

– Asset “settlements” where properties are sold and proceeds disappear

Publicize everything. The more Nigerians know about these plea bargain attempts, the harder they become to execute quietly. Share this information. Make it impossible for backdoor deals to happen in darkness.

Support the EFCC. The Commission has done extraordinary work. They need to know the public backs them against political pressure to settle.

What This Reveals About Guilt

Innocent people don’t send Emirs and former Senate Presidents to negotiate plea bargains. Innocent people present their defense in court, challenge the evidence, and trust the judicial process.

Yahaya Bello is doing the opposite. He’s avoiding court defense and seeking political negotiation. That’s an admission that the evidence is too strong to contest and conviction is too likely to risk.

The Message to Other Looters

The Presidency’s refusal sends a critical signal across Nigeria: political connections won’t save you from documented evidence. Traditional rulers can’t negotiate away bank records. Former Senate Presidents can’t plea bargain past forensic accounting.

If you looted state treasuries, the evidence will be presented, trials will proceed, and accountability will follow—regardless of who you know or which Emir you deploy.

To Those Still Forwarding to Yahaya Bello

Forward this message too:

Tell him the Presidency refused. Tell him the EFCC won’t settle. Tell him the courts have the evidence. Tell him Kogi’s citizens are watching. Tell him traditional rulers and former Senate Presidents cannot save him from bank records presented under oath.

Tell him to stop wasting the Emir of Bauchi’s time and answer for the ₦10.27 billion in court.

The Bottom Line

Yahaya Bello knows he’s guilty. The plea bargain attempt proves it. The Presidency’s refusal proves institutional accountability is holding—for now.

Our job is ensuring it continues holding. No settlements. No backdoor deals. No plea bargains.

Full trial. Full conviction. Complete asset recovery. Every naira returned to Kogi State.

That’s justice. Nothing less is acceptable.

Keep sharing this. Keep the pressure on. Keep demanding accountability.

The EFCC has the evidence. The courts are hearing it. The Presidency is holding the line. Kogi’s citizens must ensure it stays that way.