Yahaya Bello Still Wanted, Not In Our Custody – EFCC Says

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, declared that the former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello remains wanted and is not in its custody.

This was as Forefront News gathered that Yahaya Bello did not surrender him as was portrayed but may have been arrested at midnight of Tuesday in Lokoja in a sting operation by operatives of the EFCC.

The anti-graft agency specifically said that Bello, who is facing prosecution for N80.2 billion money laundering charges remained on its wanted list.

The position of the EFCC totally contradicted the statement issued by the Ohiare Michael, Director of Media of Yahaya Bello’s Office, in which he stated that the immediate past governor of Kogi State had honoured EFCC’s invitation by making himself available at the Headquarters of the Agency in Abuja on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

Michael had in the statement, said that the decision By Yahaya Bello to make himself available to the EFCC was reached after due consultations with his family members, legal team, and political allies, stressing that Bello has nothing to hide.

He explained that Bello has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, adding that, all the while, the fforme governor only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.

Michael further said; “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”.

But in what appeared a counter narrative, the EFCC through its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, described reports that Bello surrendered to the commission as “incorrect and misleading”.

Oyewale 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 N80.2 billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” he stressed.

The EFCC said that Bello is facing prosecution alongside his nephew, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion.

Bello is yet to take a plea before the court despite several attempts by the EFCC to this effect as well as evaded arrest by the anti-graft agency.