THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared that the embattled former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, is not in its custody.
The EFCC revealed this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, and posted on its X handle on Wednesday, September 18.
In the statement, the commission said the ex-governor remained wanted “for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges”.
The EFCC stated that media reports on Wednesday that Bello had honoured the EFCC’s invitation was untrue.
“Bello, already declared wanted by the commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” the commission stated.
The stance of the anti-graft agency contradicts the position of Bello’s media office which stated that the former governor had submitted to the EFCC.
His media aide, Ohiare Michael, said in a statement Wednesday morning that the fugitive former governor presented himself “after due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies”.
In the statement titled “Former Governor Yahaya Bello Honours EFCC’s Invitation” the media team said Bello’s decision to appear before the anti-graft agency came after he consulted his family, legal team, and political associates.
The statement said Bello honoured the invitation to clear his name, adding that he had nothing to hide and fear.
While the EFCC’s position on this matter came hours after the media had reported Bello submitting himself to the EFCC, efforts by The ICIR to get Oyewale’s reaction to the statement issued by the former governor’s media office proved abortive as he did not pick calls or respond to text messages sent to him Wednesday morning.
He was there but not interrogated, Bello’s media office insists
However, the former governor’s media office issued another statement insisting that the fugitive politician visited the commission but was not interrogated.
The statement signed by Michael reads, “ Earlier today, we reported the voluntary visit of former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office to honour the Commission’s invitation.
“In the statement, 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, Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office. He was accompanied there by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo.
“Recall that the case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. The former Governor decided to honour the invitation to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.”
Accusation against former governor
Bello has been facing allegations of financial impropriety, as the EFCC accused him of laundering N80.2 billion and other infractions while he served as governor.
He was charged with three others, including his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu.
The EFCC declared Bello wanted in April 2024, after he allegedly declined invitations for interrogation.
The photograph of the former governor was displayed with the inscription ‘WANTED’ in the notice.
The charges against Bello include conspiring to convert the sum of N80.2 billion (N80,246,470,089.88) believed to be part of the proceeds of unlawful activity, specifically from criminal breach of trust.
The EFCC has been pushing to bring Yahaya Bello to trial, and the Court of Appeal recently ordered him to appear for arraignment.
The appellate court in a unanimous judgment delivered on Tuesday, August 20, by Ken Amadi ordered Bello to appear in court.
The ICIR reported that EFCC operatives stormed Bello’s Abuja home on Wednesday, April 17, to arrest him.
However, the arrest was unsuccessful, as multiple reports said his successor and incumbent Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo smuggled out the former governor where the operatives were about to capture him.
In April, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, vowed to step down if he failed to prosecute the former governor.
Olukoyede also warned that anyone interfering with his arrest would face consequences.
A reporter with the ICIR
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