They Don’t Belong in Society — They Belong Behind Bars
It is time Nigerians stop turning a blind eye to the criminality within the National Assembly. Elected public officers are expected to serve with integrity and transparency, but instead, some have turned their offices into personal enrichment platforms. One of the most glaring examples is *Hon. Philip Agbese*, the House of Representatives member from Benue State, who has been named in a high-profile international bribery allegation.
According to a Binance executive, *Tigran Gambaryan*, Agbese allegedly demanded a staggering *$150 million bribe* to protect the company from prosecution in Nigeria. This isn’t a minor claim—it is an international corruption scandal that stains the image of Nigeria and undermines our fight against graft. While Agbese may have denied the allegation and threatened legal action, the seriousness of the accusation demands full-scale, independent investigation.
Agbese’s behavior, if true, is not only unethical but criminal. A public official attempting to extort foreign investors sends the worst possible message to the world—that Nigeria is still open for business, but only through the backdoor of bribery and extortion. This kind of leadership does not build trust; it destroys investor confidence and national credibility.
Beyond this, Agbese is part of a disturbing pattern in the National Assembly—politicians who shout loudest about accountability while being enmeshed in allegations of corruption. These are the same people who sponsor media propaganda, blackmail public servants, and attempt to paint themselves as reformers while engaging in acts that weaken our institutions.
Such individuals do not deserve a seat in our legislative chambers. They deserve to be investigated, prosecuted, and—if found guilty—imprisoned. This is not about politics. It is about restoring the dignity of public office and showing that no one is above the law.
The fact that these figures are still walking free, still sponsoring malicious reports, and still parading as champions of the people, is an insult to the collective intelligence of Nigerians. Enough is enough.
Agbese and others like him must be held accountable for their actions. If this country is serious about cleaning up its political system, then high-level impunity must end. No sacred cows. No protected names.
It is not enough to call them “failed politicians.” They are, at best, betrayers of the public trust and, at worst, economic saboteurs. Every naira stolen, every bribe demanded, is a setback for development, for employment, and for national unity.
The fight against corruption must be more than a slogan. It must be a mission. The likes of Agbese should not be allowed to hide behind political immunity or media noise. Nigerians must reject their antics and demand justice.
Let the law take its course. And if the evidence confirms wrongdoing, let Agbese not sit in parliament—let him sit in prison.
