Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) made another attempt to arrest former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, just hours after his visit to the EFCC headquarters on Wednesday ended in confusion.
Reports indicate that EFCC officers surrounded the Abuja lodge of the Kogi government, repeating a previous unsuccessful effort to detain Bello earlier this year.
As with the first failed attempt, security personnel at the lodge denied EFCC operatives entry, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
EFCC Will Be Held Responsible for Any Harm to Yahaya Bello —Aides
In response, Bello’s aides issued a warning, stating that the EFCC should be held responsible if anything happens to the former governor.
A statement from the Yahaya Bello media office, signed by Director of Media Ohiare Michael, condemned the EFCC’s actions. The statement, titled “Despite Voluntary Visit, EFCC Officials Surround Kogi Government Lodge, Abuja in an Attempt to Forcefully Arrest Former Governor Yahaya Bello, Fire Gunshots”, reads:
“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 forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello. They were shooting sporadically.
“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily today, but the Commission told him to leave and return at a later date, only to launch 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 for interrogation. The EFCC had no questions for Alh. Yahaya Bello in the morning, but now they are suddenly attempting to arrest him.
“This action is condemnable. They have demonstrated why many Nigerians believe they are engaging in political battles instead of fulfilling their mandate to fight corruption. This reflects much more than just the fight against corruption.
“We will keep Nigerians updated.”
Conflicting Reports Over Yahaya Bello’s EFCC Visit
This latest incident follows conflicting reports earlier in the day about Bello’s visit to the EFCC office. His media team and the EFCC provided contradictory accounts of the situation.
The media office of Yahaya Bello claimed in an earlier statement that the former governor had voluntarily honored an invitation from the EFCC after consulting with his family, legal team, and political allies. They added that details of his engagement with the EFCC would be shared later.
The statement, signed by Ohiare Michael, noted, “It is our hope that the Commission will act professionally and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
However, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale refuted this claim, stating that Bello had not visited their office and 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, are 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,” Oyewale said.
In response, Bello’s media team released photos of him arriving at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, accompanied by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.
A subsequent statement from the Yahaya Bello Media Office explained that, “The EFCC did not interrogate him, as officials told him he could leave. As we write, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office.”