By Vincent Egunyanga, Abuja
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have laid siege to the Kogi State Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, in an apparent bid to arrest the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
It was learnt that the EFCC operatives’ alleged moves to arrest Bello followed the drama earlier in the day when the former governor reported himself at the EFCC office in Abuja but was turned away.
Alleging a plot to arrest Yahaya Bello and humiliate him, the former governor’s spokesman, Ohiare Michael, said, “It has come to our notice that people suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello forcefully. They were shooting sporadically.
“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily earlier today, but the Commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount a Gestapo-like attack on the Kogi State Government facility in Asokoro.
“We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him.
“Tonight’s attack was needless as the former Governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation. The EFCC had no question to ask Alh. Yahaya Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him.
“This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they were fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption. This action reflects much more than the fight against corruption.”
In a standoff earlier yesterday, EFCC was engaged in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with former Kogi State governor over allegations of his surrendering himself to the commission.
While the EFCC denied media reports that the former governor of Kogi State showed himself at the commission, an aide to the former governor, in a statement yesterday, said Bello honoured the anti-graft agency’s invitation over allegations of N80.2bn probe but was asked to leave without any interrogation.
*He’s not with us, still on wanted list, says anti-graft agency
The commission, in a statement yesterday by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, stated, “Media reports that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr Yahaya Bello, is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, are incorrect.
“The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody. Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2bn money laundering charges, remains with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.”
*He surrendered to EFCC- Ex-gov’s aide
Meanwhile, the Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael, had earlier issued a statement saying the former governor honoured the EFCC invitation “after due consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies.”
The former Kogi governor and his successor, Usman Ododo, were at the EFCC office yesterday.
In a follow-up statement he released later, Michael maintained that Bello honoured the anti-graft agency’s invitation 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 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.
Earlier in April, the EFCC declared Bello wanted for an alleged financial crime of N80.2bn.
The EFCC had stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and attempted to arrest the former governor, whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor, Usman Ododo.
The matter has been in court, but despite many adjournments, the former governor has yet to appear before the trial judge.
Bello served as governor of Kogi from January 27, 2016, to January 27, 2024, when he handed over to Ododo, his fellow party member in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
