Editors note: When Olu Falae was booed by his church members after he was named as one the beneficiaries in the $2.1 billion arms deal scam, it became evident that many Nigerians had lost respect for this elder statesman.

But how did Olu Falae fall from grace to grass? Political commentator Kess Ewubare explains.

From hero to zero

When a former secretary to government of the federation, Olu Falae was kidnapped by suspected Fulani herdsmen from his farm in Ilado, along Igbatoro road in Akure, the capital city of Ondo state, on September 21, 2015, many eminent Nigerians condemned the kidnap and called for Falae’s immediate and unconditional release. Many wondered why such a peaceful man like Falae, who is described as an elder statesman would be a victim of kidnapping.

In order to ensure the safe and speedy rescue of Olu Falae, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the inspector-general of police and other security agencies to take all necessary actions and rescue Falae from the clutches of his abductors.

His abductors on the other hand demanded N100m as ransom before the elder statesman could be freed from captivity. They later reduced their demands to N90m, but he was freed after his family paid N5m as ransom to his abductors.

Sequel to his release, Nigeria celebrated the save return of the Afenefere leader, unaware that this so called elder states man will also be named as one of the beneficiaries of the $2.1bn meant for arms procurement, which was allegedly diverted by former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

But when Falae’s name came up as one of the beneficiaries of the $2.1bn scam, Nigerians had hoped that the mention of his name was another ploy by the embattled former NSA adviser to smear Falae’s reputation. But Nigerians were disappointed by Falae’s admission that he collected N100m from a former chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Tony Anenih, although he denied taking any money from Dasuki.

The shameless defence 

In his feeble defence, Falae who is the national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) said he is ashamed to be linked with Sambo Dasuki and the $2.1bn arms scandal. He explained in a Punch report dated January 21, 2016 that: “The N100m they are talking about, it was the money sent by the PDP  to the SDP, following our endorsement of their presidential candidate ( Goodluck Jonathan).”

Olu Falae also said he would not return the N100m he collected from Chief Tony Anenih, as ordered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stating that if it is possible that the money Chief Anenih gave him was from the arms deal, it is left for the EFCC to ask Chief Anenih to clarify. He said as for his part he did not have any dealings with Dasuki or have anything to do with the office or person of the national security adviser.

When one listens to the hallow defence put up by Olu Falae in this regard, you cannot help but wonder if shame has gone into extinction. In saner climes like USA or Britain, someone who has admitted to collecting N100m just for endorsing a presidential candidate will be behind bars by now.

The case of Olu Falae who was once viewed as an elder states man for years is a pointer to the fact that our so called heroes past and elders are the problem of this country. More surprising is that rather than bow his head in shame, Falae has repeatedly ran to the media in a shabby attempt to clarify his name. He even summoned up the audacity to castigate the anti-corruption campaign by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government as selective.

After selling his conscience for N100m to support Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election, the most honourable thing for Falae to do now is to return the money.

Birds of a feather 

No argument by this over glorified elder statesman can justify collecting N100 million from the PDP in secret. His claims that the money was used for executing the campaigns for Goodluck Jonathan is merely an afterthought when the bubble burst. In all, Olu Falae is no different from the kidnappers who abducted him, they are birds of a feather, money mongers who want to reap where they did not sow.