Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have revealed how former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello was arrested.
This is as the commission, in a statement on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale also claimed that Bello remains wanted with a subsisting warrant of arrest.
This was contrary to the earlier claim of the former governor that he honoured the invitation of the anti-graft agency.
DAILY GIST reports that Bello was declared wanted by the EFCC over fraud and corrupt enrichment while in office as Kogi governor.
According to a source in the EFCC, the former governor was arrested by the operatives in Lokoja in a midnight sting operation.
Currently, Bello is being grilled at the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja, facing a 19-count charge of money laundering amounting to N80 billion.
The former governor has repeatedly failed to appear in court since the commencement of the case in April 2024 at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
A reliable source within the EFCC told vanguard that Bello was trailed and apprehended by operatives in the early hours of the morning.
This contradicts Bello’s statement, released on Wednesday, claiming he voluntarily honoured the EFCC’s invitation.
A statement issued by his media office stated that the former governor decided to honour the EFCC’s invitation after consulting with his family, legal team, and political allies.
He said he sought to enforce his fundamental human rights and ensure due process.
READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
YAHAYA BELLO MEDIA OFFICE
PRESS RELEASE
FORMER GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO HONOURS EFCC’S INVITATION
Former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alh Yahaya Bello today, honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
This decision was made after due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies.
The former Governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had, all the while, only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.
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. It is important for the former Governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.
The former Governor believes firmly in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development; and supports the fight against corruption in the country.
It is on record that he was the first Governor of Kogi State to put in place an anti-corruption mechanism to check graft and ensure that the resources of the State work for the people of the State.
He was accompanied to the EFCC Headquarters by high profile Nigerians.
It is our hope that the Commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Details of his engagement with the operatives of the Anti-Graft Agency will be disclosed later.
But the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has officially clarified that the former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello is not in its custody.
The commission, in a statement on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said that Bello remains wanted with a subsisting warrant of arrest.
He said, “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 N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.”
