EX-KOGI GOV,YAHAYA BELLO NOT IN OUR CUSTODY, STILL WANTED — EFCC DECLARES
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EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale says the ex-Kogi governor remains wanted “for alleged N80.2 billion money laundering charges”.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Yahaya Bello, the troubled former governor of Kogi State, is not in their custody.
In a statement on Wednesday, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said the ex-governor remains wanted “for alleged N80.2 billion money laundering charges”.
“Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.
“Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2 billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” Oyewale said.
The anti-graft group’s perspective runs counter to Bello’s Media Office’s assertion that the former governor accepted the EFCC’s invitation.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by Ohiare Michael, Director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, the former governor accepted the EFCC invitation “after due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies.”
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Michael did not, however, offer any more information or a picture of the former governor’s meeting with the EFCC.
Michael insisted in a later statement that Bello accepted the anti-graft agency’s invitation but was ordered to depart by officials without being questioned.
He claims that Usman Ododo, the former governor’s replacement, escorted him to the EFCC office.
“We reiterated the former Governor’s great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, and stressed that, all the while, he only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.
“The EFCC did not, however, interrogate him as officials told him he could leave. We don’t know what this means yet. As we write, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office. He was accompanied there by the Governor of Kogi State, HE Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,” the statement read in part.
Bello was listed as wanted by the EFCC earlier in April on suspicion of financial crimes totaling N80.2 billion.
The EFCC had invaded Bello’s apartment in the Wuse area of Abuja and attempt to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later revealed was carried away by his replacement, Usman Ododo.
Despite numerous adjournments, the former governor has not appeared before the trial judge in the matter that has been in court.
From January 27, 2016 to January 27, 2024, Bello presided as the governor of the state of North Central America. He then turned the reins over to Ododo, a fellow member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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