Alleged N84bn Fraud: EFCC Hunts Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello, Cordons Off Abuja Residence

For refusing to honour an official invitation extended to him for questioning, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sealed off the residence of immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

A visit to the area showed heavy presence of EFCC officials with no trace of movement in and out of the sprawling accommodation located at Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4 in the nation’s capital.

Early on Wednesday, an insider who dropped the hints about the latest development sent in a picture that captured the scene where EFCC operatives blocked the access road to Bello’s residence

According to the insider; “EFCC has barricaded Bello’ house in Abuja. There is no free movement around the area as EFCC officials are everywhere but yet to gain access into the premises.”

Though there was no immediate official information on the reason for the anti-graft agency’s action, competent sources said the development may not be unconnected with the N84 billion fraud case brought against the former governor, who prides himself as the “White Lion” while he held sway in Luggard’s House as the Kogi State Chief Executive.

It was also reliably gathered that the EFCC’s moves come just days after the former governor reported held a close-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Recalled that the Commission had dragged the former governor over a case of financial fraud to the tune of N84 billion and in the amended charge, accused Bello of diverting N80 billion of state funds in September 2015, four months before assuming office as governor of Kogi State.

Also, the EFCC had arraigned Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, for alleged money laundering to the tune of N10 billion belonging to the State government.

Amid all the accusations, the Kogi State Government interestingly came out to describe the charge as “ridiculous” and “laughable”, arguing that it was impossible for the former governor to access or misappropriate state funds at said time since he had not yet formally assumed office.

The EFCC’s case against Yahaya Bello is before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja for alleged N84 billion money laundering.

Joining Bello’s nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman and Abdulsalam Hudu as co-accused, the EFCC said it is prosecuting them on an amended 17-count charge of money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of fund to tune of N84, 062,406,089.88.

In an amended charge, the anti-graft agency had claimed that former Governor Bello is still at large.

Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, Yahaya Adoza Bello (still at large) and Abdulsalam Hudu (still at large), sometime in September, 2015 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80,246,470,089.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty-six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Eighty-nine Naira, Eighty-eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(b) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended”.

The EFCC source further stated that while ex-Governor Yahaya Bello and Hudu are still at large, Ali Bello and Suleiman, first and second defendants respectively, who were present in court “pleaded not guilty” to all the charges when they were read to them.