For the second time in five months, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) made failed attempts to arrest former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello at the state’s Governor’s Lodge on Wednesday night in Abuja.
Intriguingly, video and photo evidence by the embattled former governor’s media team showed that Bello visited the EFCC headquarters in Abuja earlier on Wednesday in company of his successor, Alhaji Usman Ododo.
Despite declaring the former governor wanted on 18 April and announcing that he had been placed on the watch list of both the Nigeria Immigration Service and the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL), the EFCC allowed him to walk in and out of its premises on Wednesday, only to make attempts at arresting him hours later at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
Responding to media reports that Bello had reported himself to the anti-graft agency, its spokesman, Mr. Dele Oyewale issued a statement that the former 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”.
Bello’s media team immediately countered the EFCC. A statement by Michael Ohiare on behalf of the team, maintained that the wanted former governor honoured the invitation of the anti-graft agency but was asked to leave by its officials without interrogation.
According to Ohiare, Bello was accompanied to the EFCC office by his successor, Ododo.
“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”.
Late evening on Wednesday, EFCC stormed the Kogi State Governor’s lodge in the Asokoro District in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in its second attempt to arrest Bello.
However, there was some resistance by security operatives at the lodge as gunshots rented the air during the altercation. The area was cordoned off with movements restricted to only EFCC operatives and other security agencies stationed there.
Unable to carry out its mission yet again, the anti-graft agency and other security forces vacated the area, following which normalcy was restored.
Bello had been charged of alleged money laundering to the tune of N80 billion. EFCC accused the embattled politician, his nephew, Ali Bello, as well as Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu of conspiring to convert the sum to personal use.
Bello had consistently refused to honour EFCC’s invitations for questioning, and boycotted court trials. His case was recently adjourned by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja to 25 September.
The former governor is facing a 19-count charge of money laundering.
On 23 April, Justice Nwite ordered the EFCC to serve Bello with the money laundering charges through his lawyer. The next day, the commission’s Chairman, Mr. Olukoyede vowed to resign if he fails to prosecute the former governor.
Bello skipped other court sessions scheduled for his arraignment on 23 April, 10 May, 13 June, 27 June and 17 July.
On 13 June, the Court of Appeal, Abuja quashed a previous ruling made by a Kogi State High Court against EFCC and Olukoyede concerning a contempt case and restraining order filed by Bello.
On 8 July, the Federal High Court refused Bello’s bid to transfer his trial from Abuja to the Lokoja division. Nine days later, Justice Nwite rejected Bello’s application to halt his trial.
Last month, the Court of Appeal reaffirmed EFCC’s power to prosecute the former governor.
