Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja on Wednesday in a bid to arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello. The attempt came shortly after the former governor visited the EFCC headquarters earlier in the day.
According to a statement released by Ohiare Michael, the Director of Yahaya Bello’s Media Office, the EFCC operatives arrived at the lodge and fired gunshots in an attempt to apprehend Bello. The statement, titled “Despite Voluntary Visit, EFCC Officials Surround Kogi Government Lodge, Abuja in an Attempt to Forcefully Arrest Former Governor Yahaya Bello, Fire Gunshots,” alleged that the former governor was unfairly targeted despite his willingness to cooperate with the commission.
Michael explained that Bello had voluntarily visited the EFCC to clear his name, following allegations of N80.2 billion fraud. “The former Governor went to the EFCC office voluntarily earlier today but the commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount a Gestapo-like attack on the Kogi State Government facility in Asokoro,” Michael stated.
Earlier in the day, the EFCC and Bello’s media team were embroiled in a public disagreement over the visit. While Bello’s team claimed that he had presented himself at the EFCC headquarters, the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, denied that Bello was in their custody and confirmed that the former governor remained wanted by the commission. “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 is incorrect. The commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody. He remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” Oyewale stated.
Bello’s media team expressed frustration over the EFCC’s actions, accusing the agency of engaging in political persecution. “This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they were fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption,” Michael added.
The EFCC had declared Bello wanted in April for charges related to money laundering, alongside his nephew Ali Bello and two others. The commission had filed 19 charges against them, alleging the laundering of N80.2 billion.
Despite the controversy, Bello’s media office insisted that the former governor had nothing to hide and had honored the EFCC’s invitation.
