Minister of State for Health Indicted?

Minister of State for Health Alhaji Sulaiman Bello

We were alarmed by this morning's scandalous headline from The Daily Trust, but were quickly reassured that the financial shenanigans being reported has nothing to do with the Federal Ministry of Health. Not again!

The newspaper reported that the Minister of State for Health, Alhaji Sulaiman Bello has been indicted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over an alleged N11.2 million bribe.

However, the alleged offense was purportedly committed during Alhaji Bello's previous post as Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The minister was alleged to have unlawfully solicited the sum of N11.2m from the governor of Adamawa State and given a N0.5 million bribe to an official of INEC. Court hearing has been set for January 31st, 2011.

We should point out that this is merely an allegation and the Minister may be entirely innocent of these charges. After all, the ICPC does not have a stellar record of winning convictions against those public officials it has taken to trial.