By Ayomide Otitoju
Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has come to the defence of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, insisting that the embattled politician will emerge stronger from the ongoing money laundering case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Speaking on Thursday outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, Agbese expressed solidarity with Bello, describing the trial as “a test of a patriot’s resilience rather than evidence of wrongdoing.”
Addressing journalists and supporters after the court proceedings, the lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency praised Bello’s integrity, saying he was confident in the former governor’s innocence.
“Yahaya Bello is one Nigerian who cannot and will never steal a dime from the public purse,” Agbese declared. “I have known Yahaya for over two decades, and I can vouch for his character as a patriot, a nationalist, and a man wholly dedicated to the progress of his people.”
He described the EFCC case as a politically motivated attempt to tarnish Bello’s image, noting that the former governor left office with integrity intact.
“This is not the trial of a corrupt politician; it is the trial of a patriot who left Lugard House poorer than he entered it, having poured his heart and resources into transforming Kogi State,” he said.
Agbese highlighted Bello’s record in governance, citing his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security.
“When he assumed office in 2016, Kogi was grappling with infrastructural decay and insecurity. Bello changed that narrative through bold reforms, youth empowerment programmes, and massive investments in key sectors,” he said. “He didn’t amass wealth for himself; instead, he left office with a leaner pocket but a richer legacy of service.”
The lawmaker urged Nigerians to look beyond what he termed “EFCC’s smokescreen,” asserting that Bello’s tenure was marked by fiscal discipline and transparency.
“From the construction of the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre to the Kogi State University Teaching Hospital in Anyigba, Bello’s projects were tangible and people-centred,” Agbese stated. “These are not the actions of a man who loots public funds.”
He further alleged that the corruption charges were politically driven, claiming that Bello’s rising influence among young Nigerians made him a target.
“This case is less about accountability and more about settling political scores,” Agbese maintained. “Those threatened by his growing profile are using state institutions to malign him, but truth is resilient, and Yahaya Bello’s truth will prevail.”
Concluding, Agbese described Bello as a symbol of a new generation of Nigerian leaders committed to selfless service.
“Yahaya Bello represents the hope of a new generation who prioritize service over self,” he said. “This trial will only strengthen his resolve and amplify his voice as a champion of the people. In defending Bello, we defend the very idea of patriotic governance.”
