- Bello's media office said the former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello voluntarily responded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invitation
- Subsequently, anonymous sources reported that Bello didn't surrender, he was arrested by the anti-graft operatives in Lokoja
- Following this, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) denied having Yahaya Bello in their custody, declared he remains a wanted individual
Reports regarding the arrest of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello have become increasingly contradictory. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied having Bello in its custody, despite claims from his media office that he voluntarily responded to an invitation from the agency.
EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale stated on Wednesday, September 18 that Yahaya Bello remains a wanted individual, with a valid warrant for his arrest related to allegations of money laundering amounting to ₦80.2 billion.
“Media reports today claiming that former Governor Bello is in EFCC custody are incorrect,” Oyewale clarified.
EFCC confirms Yahaya Bello remains wanted for money laundering charges
The statement from EFCC reads, “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.”
Bello’s media office claims he voluntarily honoured EFCC’s invitation
In contrast, Ohiare Michael, Director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, claimed that the former governor attended the EFCC’s invitation after consulting with his family and legal team.
The statement reads, “Former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, today honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. This decision was made after due consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies.”
Anonymous source claims Bello was arrested by EFCC
However, an anonymous source reported a different narrative, stating that Bello was trailed and apprehended by EFCC operatives during the night in Lokoja, contradicting claims of voluntary compliance.
“Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is currently at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja. He was arrested in Lokoja, with operatives trailing and apprehending him at midnight,” the anonymous source stated.
This situation arose after Yahaya Bello, facing a 19-count alleged money laundering charge and having his trial rescheduled for September 25, avoided several invitations from the EFCC.
Court of Appeal overrides Kogi High Court, permits EFCC to prosecute Yahaya Bello
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Yahaya Bello filed multiple motions challenging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the court’s power to arraign him.
The Court of Appeal reaffirmed that no court can obstruct a law enforcement agency’s statutory functions. The court criticised the trial judge for releasing Bello despite having the charge in hand, deeming the action scandalous.