…says nothing to hide
Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, his media office confirmed on Wednesday.
This is coming five months after the former governor was declared wanted by the EFCC for offences relating to economic and financial crimes.
The Commission had, in April 2024, on it’s official Facebook page declared the former governor wanted. The notice had read: “The public is hereby notified that Yahaya Adoza Bello (former Governor of Kogi State), whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in connection with alleged case of money laundering to the tune of N80,246,470,089.88
“Bello, a 48-year-old Ebira man, is a native of Okenne Local Government of Kogi State.
“His last known address is: 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.”
The notice asked anybody with useful information about the former governor’s whereabouts to contact any of the commission’s offices across the country.
However, a statement signed by the Director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael, on Wednesday, said Bello’s decision to appear before the anti-graft agency comes after consultations with his family, legal team and political associates.
The statement was titled “Former Governor Yahaya Bello honours EFCC’s invitation”
Bello was said to have been accompanied to the EFCC headquarters by several high-profile Nigerians.
The former governor has been in a running battle with the anti-graft agency over alleged financial impropriety while he was the number one citizen of Kogi.
He and three others are facing 19 counts related to money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion.
However, the statement disclosed that the former governor personally engaged with the EFCC to clear his name, stating he has “nothing to hide and nothing to fear.”
It said that he had previously pursued the enforcement of his fundamental rights to ensure due process in the ongoing investigation.
“The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. It is important for the former Governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.
“The former Governor believes firmly in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development; and supports the fight against corruption in the country,” the statement read.
The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.
In April, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, had vowed to resign if the embattled former governor is not prosecuted.
Olukoyede swore to follow the prosecution of Mr Bello to the logical conclusion. He also vowed that all those who obstructed the arrest of the former governor would be brought to justice.
AHAYA BELLO MEDIA OFFICE
UPDATE: FORMER GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO LEAVES EFCC OFFICE, YET TO BE INTERROGATED
- Earlier today, we reported the voluntary visit of former Governor of Kogi State, HE Alh. Yahaya Bello to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office to honour the Commission’s invitation.
- In the statement, we reiterated the former Governor’s great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, and stressed that, all the while, he only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.
- The EFCC did not, however, interrogate him as officials told him he could leave. We don’t know what this means yet. As we write, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office. He was accompanied there by the Governor of Kogi State, HE Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
- Recall that the case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. The former Governor decided to honour the invitation to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.
