The media office of former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello has claimed that operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) surrounded the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja on Wednesday night.
According to the media team, the EFCC wanted to arrest Bello forcefully.
Earlier that day, Bello’s office had said the former governor went to the EFCC office voluntarily after being invited by the agency. However, the EFCC denied this, saying Bello was still wanted and not in their custody.
Bello’s media office responded, saying that although Bello went to the EFCC office, he was not questioned and was told to leave. He was accompanied by Governor Usman Ododo.
In a statement, the media office, led by director Ohiare Michael, claimed that EFCC operatives fired shots during the siege at the lodge.
“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, but the commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount an attack on the Kogi Government facility in Asokoro,” the statement read.
The media office warned that the EFCC should be held responsible if anything happens to Bello.
“The EFCC had no question to ask Alhaji 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 are fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption,” the media office.
Beyond Boders recalls that on April 18, 2024, the EFCC declared Bello wanted for alleged money laundering, misuse of trust, and mismanagement of N80.2 billion.
According to EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede, Bello withdrew $720,000 from the state’s funds for his child’s school fees.
A court has ordered Bello to surrender himself for trial, but his lawyer said he is concerned for his safety. The EFCC has filed 19 charges against him for money laundering, but his arraignment was delayed because he did not show up in court.
