• Ex-gov visits HQ, leaves undrilled
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, allegedly laid siege to the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro, in an attempt to arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello.
The turn of events was after the former governor, in company of his successor, Ahmed Ododo, honoured the invitation of the EFCC by showing up at its headquarters after months in hiding.
The visitor reportedly spent over one hour in the car without alighting at the HQ. He was later told that the EFCC chairman did not want to see him. The chairman was said to have ignored him and left the complex.
According to the source, immediately it was glaring that the EFCC chairman did not want to see him, he went back to Ododo’s car and they drove off.
Director, Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael, in a statement late yesterday, asserted: “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
“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 office for interrogation. The EFCC had no question to ask Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him,” the statement reads.
Michael earlier stated that the decision to report to the EFCC HQ was made after consultations with his family, legal team and political allies.
He stated: “The former governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had, all the while, only sought enforcement of his fundamental rights to ensure due process.
“The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. It is important for the former governor to honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name, as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.”
The former governor, Michael noted, believes firmly in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development, and supports the fight against corruption in the country.
“It is on record that he was the first governor of Kogi to put in place a mechanism to check graft and ensure that the resources of the state work for the people of the state.
“He was accompanied to the EFCC Headquarters by high profile Nigerians. We hope that the commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of Nigeria,” the statement added.
Bello left the EFCC office without being interrogated, according to information from his media office.
“The EFCC did not, however, interrogate him as officials told him he could leave. We don’t know what this means yet,” Michael added.
EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, earlier said that the former governor remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.
Oyewale stated, “Media reports today that Bello is in the holding facility of 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.”