Nigerian politicians have a history of fainting at court hearings and getting away with their bad behaviour. One may be quick to query, why government officials under probe for corruption mostly faint when grilled?
Below is the list of some Nigerian politicians who fainted or used other guise when grilled.
Peter Ayodele Fayose
Peter Ayodele Fayose is a Nigerian politician and the former governor of Ekiti State between 2014 and 2018.
“I’m in severe pain”, governor Fayose of Ekiti told journalists during a tour of media houses while wearing a neck brace.
Ayodele Fayose, appeared on TV with a neck brace and suspend arm. He claimed he suffered neck injury after he was attacked by the policemen with teargas.
Fayose said he sustained neck injury after he was slapped and was exposed to tear gas by policemen. But is this possible?
Senator Dino Melaye
Senator representing Kogi West senatorial district, Dino Melaye collapsed at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters In Abuja.
The lawmaker, who surrendered to the police on Friday, was reportedly rushed to a police clinic in Garki Area 1 of Abuja, after he was arrested and taken to SARS Headquarters.
Dino Melaye is a Nigerian politician, a Senator and was a member of the 8th Nigerian National Assembly, representing Kogi West Senatorial district. He is a member of the People’s Democratic Party.
Professor Pondei
The acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, ‘fainted’ on Monday during his presentation at the ongoing probe of the agency by the House of Representatives. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio and the Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei-led NDDC’s Interim Management Committee (IMC) appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta over alleged corruption. The committee is investigating an alleged N82.5 billion irregular expenditure in the NDDC.
Reacting, Nigerians on social media queried why government officials under probe for corruption mostly faint when grilled.
Others prayed for Pondei’s quick recovery to allow for continuation of the probe.
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Here are some comments from Twitter:
@Tosinolugbebga, “When they were embezzling billions on Naira meant for the development of Niger Delta, they didn’t slump.Now they are asking them to provide answers to why they stole the money, they are faking slumping/fainting. 1.3 billion stolen in the name of palliative #NDDCProbe.”
@Onyebuchind, “Fainting on National TV and coming in stretchers to court to avoid prosecution. This thing has to stop in Nigeria.
#NDDCProbe.”
@Mapur_ebenezer, “When stealing the NDDC money, the Ag MD of NDDC did not slump ooo, but suddenly slumped during probe; bunch of liars.
@_starbiola, “The ACTING MD OF NDDC reminds me of Fayose whose neck got broken by tear gas. Omo, this country is a pure cruise #NDDCProbe.”
@Godfirsttime, “See drama. You don still money finish come de claim fainting… Billions of Naira, These men just de take us play for this country, I swear. Shame on you people. #NDDCProbe.”
Here are five high profile persons that have appeared in court on wheelchairs. No one can tell whether the tact is employed to stall court proceedings.
Maina Abdulrasheed
The most recent of the pack is the former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team Abdulrasheed Maina who arrived at a Federal High Court in Abuja in a wheelchair on 7th November.
On October 25, Maina was sued alongside a firm, Common Input Property and Investment Ltd, by the EFCC before the Federal High Court.
Olisah Metuh
In March 2018, the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olisa Metuh, arrived for continuation of his trial before Federal High Court in a wheelchair.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alleged that he had before the 2015 Presidential election, received N400million from the Office of the National Security Adviser without executing any contract.
Haliru Bello
A former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Haliru Bello Mohammed, appeared before the Federal High Court, Abuja, sitting in a wheelchair.
The EFCC had on December 26, 2015, filed a four-count charge of money laundering against the politician for his alleged role in the diversion of funds meant for the procurement of arms in the office of the National Security Adviser.
Patrick Akpobolokemi
On January 14, 2016, former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, wasn’t exactly wheeled into court but he came in on crutches to face charges of fraud.
Akpobolokemi has been charged by EFCC along with former militant, Government “Tompolo” Ekpemupolo for stealing the sums of $108.7 million N2.2 billion found to be the property of NIMASA.