Jonathan Nwokpor
Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, has denied being a wanted person.
Contrary to what some have said, Bello said he had never been invited for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The former governor claimed that the EFCC had declared him wanted without inviting him to be questioned, speaking through his media officer Ohiare Michael.
He issued a challenge to the EFCC, demanding proof of the invitation that was sent to him after he left office.
Michael’s statement says, in part: “Let it be known to all that Alhaji Yahaya Bello is not afraid of the EFCC, he is not a fugitive running from the law. All he demands is that the rule of law be respected.
“The EFCC stated that they invited Alhaji Yahaya Bello immediately after his tenure ended on the 27th of January 2024. We challenge the EFCC to publish a copy of the invitation delivered to Yahaya Bello.
“They should also tell Nigerians the date the alleged invitation was delivered and who it was delivered to. We are certain that the EFCC will not be able to produce any of the foregoing as to date, they have yet to invite Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
“Indeed, just about the end of his administration, several online news sites published that the EFCC would arrest the Governor as soon as he handed over power to his successor as they intended to charge him for alleged crimes committed as Governor of Kogi State.”
Bello was charged by the EFCC with participating in the N80.2 billion in government of Kogi State money laundering.
In an attempt to apprehend Bello, EFCC agents besieged his Abuja home on April 17.
Kogi Governor Usman Ododo arrived at the scene while the operatives were still at Bello’s home.
The EFCC agents broke up their siege shortly after Ododo exited the house.
It was thought that Ododo had saved Bello from his home.
Amidst the chaos, the commission was given a restraining order by the Kogi High Court prohibiting them from “harassing, threatening to arrest or detain” Bello.
The Federal High Court in Abuja issued an arrest warrant for Bello that same day, which was acquired by the EFCC.
After then, Bello’s location was unknown, so the anti-graft agency put him on a watchlist and proclaimed him wanted.
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