Yahaya Bello, the former Kogi State governor on trial for an N82 billion money laundering case, is in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Usman Ododo, the Kogi state governor reportedly took Bello to Abuja in the early hours of Tuesday and surrendered him to the EFCC.
FIJ reported in September that when the EFCC attempted to arrest Bello in the Kogi Governor’s lodge in Abuja, security operatives resisted them with gunshots.
READ ALSO: Fraud, Entrusted N110b, N2.5b Dubai Property… EFCC’s 16 New Charges Against Yahaya Bello
On September 18, Bello accused the agency of failing to attend to him when he showed up at their headquarters, but the EFCC accused him of not following due process. Hours later, there was a shootout between the agency and security agents at the Kogi State Governor’s lodge in the Asokoro District in Abuja.
The EFCC later said Bello was misleading the public. The EFCC claimed he had yet to appear before them or follow due process.
Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesman, said in September, “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.”
READ ALSO: Fraud, Entrusted N110b, N2.5b Dubai Property… EFCC’s 16 New Charges Against Yahaya Bello
Yahaya Bello has been evaded numerous court sessions for months. Justice Emeka Nwite of the Abuja Federal High Court asked his legal counsels to make him appear in November.
During a court session on September 25, Bello’s defence team told the court that they did not present Bello to the court because they had earlier filed an affidavit of record at the Supreme Court to challenge the EFCC’s arrest warrant.
FIJ called Oyewale on Tuesday but his phone was busy. The EFCC spokesman was yet to respond to FIJ’s message at press time.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the EFCC vowed to resign if he fails to bring Yahaya Bello to book.
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