Drama as EFCC invades Abuja lodge of Kogi govt to arrest Yahaya Bello after letting him go from their office
By Ishaya Ibrahim
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have made another attempt at arresting Yahaya Bello hours after confusion over his reported visit at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency on Wednesday.
The EFCC officers reportedly barricaded the premises of the Abuja lodge of the Kogi Governor similar to its first futile attempt to arrest the ex-governor early this year.
Like in the first failed attempt to arrest Yahaya Bello, security officials attached to the lodge have refused the EFCC officials access into the building, resulting in gunshots.
EFCC should be held accountable if anything happens to Yahaya Bello
Meanwhile, the former governors aides have raised an alarm warning that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything happens to him.
A statement from the Yahaya Bello media office signed by Ohiare Michael, Director, Media said the action of the EFCC was condemnable.
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 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.
“We will keep Nigerians posted.”
This latest move is coming on the heels of conflicting reports earlier in the day concerning Bello’s visit to the EFCC office.
The media team of Yahaya Bello, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) contradicted each other earlier on Wednesday with reports of the presence of the ex-governor at the office of the anti-graft agency.
The media office of the former governor earlier in a statement claimed that Bello honoured an invitation extended to him by the EFCC.
According to his media office, the decision was made after consultations with his family, legal team and political allies, adding the details of Bello’s engagement with the operatives of the anti-graft agency would be disclosed later.
The statement signed by Ohiare Michael, Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, said: “It is our hope that the Commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
But EFCC in a statement by Dele Oyewale, its spokesman, dismissed the claims that the former governor honoured its invitation.
The commission specifically said the former governor 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, 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,” Oyewale said.
In response, the ex-governor’s media team released photos of him arriving at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, accompanied by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.
A statement by the Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, which provided updates on the visit of the former governor to the anti-graft agency office in Abuja said, “EFCC did not, however, interrogate him as officials told him he could leave. As we write, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office”.
