Drama over Yahaya Bello’s performance at EFCC

There was a minor drama when former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello visited the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.

Although Yahaya Bello disclosed that he responded to the EFCC invitation and that he had been asked to come, the commission said Bello did not appear.

Bello left the EFCC headquarters after rumours circulated that he was arrested by members of the anti-corruption agency in Lokoja at midnight.

LEADERSHIP earlier reported that the former governor responded to an invitation from the anti-corruption commission following an invitation over alleged fraud.

A report in some media reported that the EFCC operational staff had arrested former Governor Bello despite the honourable invitation from the governor to join the anti-corruption agency.

The Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, Michael Ohiare, confirmed his release, explaining in a statement that the EFCC did not interrogate him as authorities had told him he could leave.

He said: “We do not yet know what this means. As we write this, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office. He was accompanied there by the Governor of Kogi State, HE Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo”.

Meanwhile, a statement by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said, “Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello, is in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, are incorrect. The commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.

“Bello, who has already been declared wanted by the Commission for alleged money laundering charges amounting to N80.2 billion, is still wanted and a warrant for his arrest is still outstanding.”

Earlier, Bello’s media team said that the former governor responded to the invitation of the EFCC on Wednesday and was accompanied by some prominent Nigerians to the EFCC headquarters.

Recall that Ohiare Michael, director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, said in a statement that Bello’s decision to honor the invitation was taken after consultation with his family, legal team and political allies.

The statement said: “The former governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and established authority, has all along only sought to enforce his fundamental rights to ensure a fair trial.

“The matter has been brought before a court of competent jurisdiction and Alhaji Yahaya Bello has been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. The former governor should honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.

“The former governor firmly believes in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to put Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development and supports the fight against corruption in the country.”

Michael further noted that “it is on record that he was the first Governor of Kogi State to establish an anti-corruption mechanism to curb corruption and ensure that the resources of the state benefit the people of the state.

“We hope that the Commission will be as professional as possible and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the media office of former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello claims that EFCC operatives on Wednesday night besieged the Kogi Government Lodge in Asokoro in a bid to arrest the former governor.

The team’s media director, Ohiare Michael, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, alleged that the anti-corruption agents occasionally fired into the air to achieve their target.

The statement read: “It has come to our attention 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 forcibly arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello. They were shooting sporadically.

“It was earlier reported that the former governor voluntarily went to the EFCC office earlier today but the commission told him to leave and return at a later time, only to carry out a Gestapo-style attack on the Kogi State government facility in Asokoro.

“We want to put it on record that the EFCC must be held accountable if anything sinister happens to it.

“Tonight’s attack was unnecessary as the former governor made himself available for questioning by the EFCC at their office.

“The EFCC had no questions for Alhaji Yahaya Bello this morning but suddenly they want to arrest him.

“This action is reprehensible. They have shown the reason why many Nigerians believe that they were fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption.

“This action reflects much more than just the fight against corruption. We are keeping Nigerians informed.”