As we write, Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office. He was accompanied there by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo.”
By Saidu Idris
365Daily – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is not in its custody.
This is just as the media aide of the former governor has insisted that he was at the Commission earlier in the day and was asked to leave.
The Director of Yahaya Bello’s media team, Ohiare Michael, said the ex-governor honoured the invitation after consultation with his legal team and political associates.
Reacting, the anti-graft agency denied that the former governor was in its custody, adding that Bello remains wanted.
In a statement signed by its head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the agency said on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, that contrary to a claim by Bello’s media aide that he submitted himself to the EFCC, the ex-governor remains wanted as he has failed to honour several invitations to him.
Bello was accused of laundering N80.2billion belonging to the people of Kogi State.
The statement read, “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.”
However, in another statement, Bello’s team said he was at the EFCC office alongside his successor, Usman Ododo.
It said, “ Earlier today, we reported the voluntary visit of former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office to honour the Commission’s invitation.
“In the statement, 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, Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office. He was accompanied there by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo.
“Recall that 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. The former Governor decided to honour the invitation to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear. “