Governor Bello, alongside his nephew and two others, faces allegations of laundering N80 billion under a 19-count charge.
Arinze recently criticized the social media trial of Yahaya Bello in a video shared on Instagram, labeling it unnecessary.
Expressing his concerns, Arinze stated:
“I’ve been closely following the EFCC’s handling of the Yahaya Bello saga, and it’s been quite sensational. Initially, EFCC made numerous statements on social media and in the news regarding Bello’s purported arrest and the large sums allegedly deposited into his children’s school account. While it’s concerning if the funds are traced back to government sources, we must await substantiated evidence.
“I’m neither asserting Bello’s innocence nor guilt; I lack sufficient details. My concern lies with social media’s role. If you’ve not been dragged on social media, you might not grasp its impact. The plethora of opinions, fueled by EFCC’s releases, fosters negativity on all fronts.
“Social media is no substitute for our judiciary. It lacks the authority to render judgments. As I understand it, the matter is before the courts. Hence, my plea is for the EFCC to uphold due process. Let the legal system run its course. That’s my personal stance.”
