Confusion as EFCC says Yahaya Bello remains wanted, not in its custody

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is not in its custody.

The declaration has sparked confusion amid claims by EFCC sources that the ex-governor was arrested during a midnight sting operation while the camp of Yahaya Bello said the accused surrendered himself

The EFCC said that Bello, who is facing prosecution for offences bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion, remained wanted by the anti-graft agency.

The Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael, had earlier said the former governor honoured EFCC’s invitation by making himself available at the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

Michael, in a statement, noted that the decision was made after due consultations with Bello’s family, legal team, and political allies, adding that Bello had nothing to hide.

He said: “The former governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had, all the while, only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.

“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 speaking on the development in a statement, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, described reports that Bello surrendered to the commission as “incorrect”.

Oyewale stated: “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.”

Bello is facing prosecution by the EFCC 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.

The former governor had consistently refused to take a plea before the court despite several attempts made by the EFCC to this effect and arrest him by the anti-graft agency.

Meanwhile, there was a third report that Yahaya Bello did not surrender him but was arrested midnight of Tuesday in Lokoja in a sting operation bh operatives of the Commission.

Confusion and drama now characterise Yahaya Bello’s purported surrender, arrest in a sting operation, and denial of his purported arrest in a sting operation by the EFCC.