“Almost every Nigerian celebrated politician today was once profiled criminal, ex-convict, drug dealer and fraudster and once they find their way into the Nigeria political circle, the stealing and fraud, the above the law nature of hardened criminals is exhibited at a national stigma to the system that harbours them”
It is human nature to cut corners if one can get away with it. But most folks largely stay lawful because there are serious consequences in breaking the Law under the Rule Of Law.
The Trouble With Nigeria is that in breaking the Law, there are no consequences! A democracy without the Rule Of Law.
Besides being handsomely rewarded when breaking the Law, it is in fact the stepping stone to your next level.
TWO QUICK EXAMPLES
1) ATIKU BAGUDU
Current Tinubu Minister
(Budget & Planing)
Bagudu was Gen Abacha’s bagman for 4yrs (1994-98). Over that period, he laundered $4Bn for Abacha family in Europe and America.
After Abacha expired in June 1998, Bagudu continued to move funds for the Abacha family until he was caught in 2010. On a trip from Jersey a British Isle and tax haven to Texas, the UK authorities tipped off the US Agents as he was airborne. At Texas they were waiting for him and took him into custody. At stake was a tranche of $350m stolen funds he was changing bank accounts.
Bagudu remained in the Texas prison facility for 6months as he negotiated with US Authorities.
A deal was eventually brokered for Bagudu to surrender $200m and his case file transferred to Nigeria on his deportation from the USA.
Bagudu was returned back to Nigeria in 2010 awash with dollars. He surrendered another $100m and was granted bail. Bagudu quickly got the PDP ticket for Kebbi Senate and before you could say Jack, he was in the Senate 2011 -15.
In 2015, Bagudu switched parties to APC, ran for Gov and bang, he was Kebbi Gov 2015 -23! Can you beat that? Only in Nigeria!
For his efforts of returning some Abacha loot, Bagudu who claimed he had an understanding with Obasanjo FG for a $100m commission on returned loot, insisted on being rewarded. Bang, Buhari and AGF Malami who was planning to replace Bagudu as Kebbi Gov, quickly made $100m available to Bagudu. As we speak, Bagudu is Tinubu’s Minister for Budget and Planning. Wow!
This was the man sitting in a Texas detention facility under 10yrs ago, now another GSM (Gov-Sen-Minister)! Only in Nigeria. Can this happen elsewhere? Maybe in outer space!
2) GODSWILL AKPABIO
Another G-S-M extraordinaire. What manner of man after 8yrs (2007-15) as Akwa Ibom State Gov, was complicit in looting N700bn of state funds. Got himself into the Nigerian Senate as EFCC was digesting his humongous loot from Akwa Ibom. Akpabio ran for cover by switching parties like Bagudu from PDP to APC. Before you could say Jack, APC a party for “Change” under Saint Buhari quickly rewarded Akpabio with Ministerial appointment for Niger Delta. Again like a monkey put in charge of a Banana warehouse, Akpabio quickly gobbled up another N1trillion
From N700bn to N1trillion, Akpabio wasn’t done yet as he was still upgrading. He returned back to the Senate after a failed run for APC presidential ticket and snatching a Senate ticket from DIG rtd Ekpoundom, a contest he never took part in. Akpabio with his humongous loots still unaccounted for, is today Senate President and no 3 man in a banana Republic called Nigeria, isn’t it so?
Let me rest my case here. The examples are too many, where do I start from or stop. The picture above of EFCC class of 2016, tells some parts of the story. Very Tragic Indeed !!!
