The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, wanted for offences relating to economic and financial crimes.
On its official Facebook page around 5 pm (Nigerian time), the anti-graft commission published the wanted notice which featured the former governor’s image. The message that accompanied it read: “Ex Gov Yahaya Bello Wanted By the EFCC. Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello is wanted by the EFCC for offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 billion. Anybody with information as to his whereabout should report immediately to the Commission or the nearest police station”.
Following the standoff between EFCC officials and Bello at a location in Abuja on Wednesday, the commission issued a stern statement, signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale. It was titled, ‘We Will No Longer Tolerate Obstruction of Our Operations’.
The statement read: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission wishes to warn members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.
“Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties. Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.
“This warning becomes necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC.
“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order. Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.
“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions”.
