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| Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello |
On the evening of September 18, 2024, officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) attempted to apprehend former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello at the governor’s lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
The operation was met with resistance from security personnel at the lodge, resulting in gunfire during the confrontation.
The area was secured by EFCC and other security forces, restricting movement to authorized personnel only.
Reports indicate that Bello may have left the lodge with the current Kogi State governor, Ahmed Ododo, before the arrest could be executed. Following the incident, calm was reportedly restored around the lodge.
Bello has been a focal point of controversy, having been declared wanted by the EFCC for allegedly laundering N80.2 billion. His legal team claims he has cooperated with the EFCC and seeks to clear his name amid ongoing legal challenges regarding the fraud allegations against him.
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| Yahaya Bello (r) with Ahmed Ododo |
After months of being declared wanted by the EFCC, a statement by the Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael, on Wednesday, September 18, said the former governor honoured EFCC invitation “after due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies”.
But in a swift reaction to the statement by Bello’s media team, the EFCC said the former governor was not in its custody and remains wanted. According to Yahaya Bello’s media office, the former Kogi governor and his successor Usman Ododo were at the EFCC office on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.
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 N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” Oyewale said in a statement.
Following up with his earlier statement, Ohiare Michael released another statement maintaining that Bello honoured the invitation of the anti-graft agency but was asked to leave by officials without interrogation.
According to him, the former governor was accompanied to the EFCC office by his successor, Usman 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,” the statement read in part.
Bello was sued by the EFCC on a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering to the tune of ₦80bn.
However, Bello has consistently refused to honour EFCC’s invitations for questioning, and has consistently boycotted court trials.
His case was recently adjourned by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja to September 25.
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