Onokpasa criticizes Onanuga over statements on Yahaya Bello’s legal battle

A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress and strong supporter of President Bola Tinubu, Jesutega Onokpasa, has criticized Bayo Onanuga, one of the President’s spokespersons, for allegedly misrepresenting the President’s involvement in the legal challenges facing former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who is currently in a legal battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Onokpasa, who also serves as the Chairman of the Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG), expressed his concerns in a statement on Thursday.

He questioned why Onanuga appeared so focused on Bello’s case, suggesting that his comments implied President Tinubu’s involvement in the former governor’s ongoing legal issues.

According to Onokpasa, “Former Governor Yahaya Bello is most certainly not hiding under anyone’s ‘agbada’ but is under the protection of the law, as he is defending his rights in a court of law.”

Onokpasa’s statement referenced a recent interview in which Onanuga reportedly told Laolu Akande that Bello was “hiding under the agbada” of his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.

Onokpasa contended that Onanuga and Akande, both seasoned journalists, lacked an understanding of legal proceedings and misrepresented Bello’s legal stance.

He explained that Bello had willingly reported to the EFCC, only to be told to leave, and later encountered EFCC officials under questionable circumstances. Onokpasa described the EFCC’s actions as politically motivated, adding that the agency seemed to act as a “political thug for hire” rather than an anti-corruption institution.

Onokpasa also expressed disbelief over Onanuga’s repeated interventions, which he felt gave a false impression that Tinubu was influencing Bello’s case.

He emphasized that Bello is entitled to wait for the court’s final judgment and should not be seen as avoiding justice.

“We are a nation of laws,” Onokpasa stated, reiterating that Bello is following legal processes, unlike those he described as attempting to manipulate public opinion and sidestep judicial authority.