The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on Thursday 18th April 2024 declared the former Governor of Kogi State, Nigeria Mr Yahaya Adoza Bello wanted for alleged financial and corruption crimes committed while in office as the Executive Governor of Kogi State.
On Wednesday 17th April 2024, EFCC officials were sighted at the Abuja residence of the immediate former Governor of Kogi State in a drama that saw the incumbent Governor of Kogi State His Excellency Ododo coming to prevent EFCC from carrying out the arrest process.
EFCC had invited Bello to answer to the corruption charges and allegations brought against him but no reported noted that he honored any of the invitations prompting the former to lay siege in the latter’s Abuja residence which the arrest was unsuccessful due to the intervention of the incumbent Governor of Kogi State who is said to be loyal to his predecessor Yahaya Bello.
In two separate court orders, EFCC obtained court order to arrest Bello while a court order from Kogi said that EFCC is prevented from arresting Bello.
Some public office holders like a three time House of Assembly Member Barr Chima Obieze who is representing Ezeagu State constituency at Enugu State House of Assembly has noted that there is nothing wrong from inviting public office holders to account for their monetary activities after holding public office like the office of the Executive Governor of a State. He saw the drama put out by Bello as something that shouldn’t be expected in a country like Nigeria that has constitution and guided by principles of the rule of law.
EFCC said that the 48 years old Yahaya Bello from Okenne Local Government Area in Kogi State is wanted to answer to money laundering case amounting to above eighty billion naira.
