Yahaya Bello, EFCC create confusion over visit to antigraft agency office

The immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has left the office complex of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja hours after reporting at the facility on Wednesday to honour the invitation of the agency over alleged N80.2bn fraud.

This is coming after months of hide-and-seek games between the operatives of the anti-graft agency and the former governor.

It will also be recalled that Bello was declared wanted by the EFCC after failing to honour the Commission’s invites and also not showing up in court for his arraignment over the alleged fraud case.

However, on Wednesday, Bello, accompanied by his successor, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State, stormed the EFCC headquarters, according to him, to honour the agency’s invitation and clear his name from the allegations.

Read Also: ”Yahaya Bello remains wanted, not in our custody”-EFCC

But, afterwards, former Governor Bello, in a statement signed by the Head of Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael, said he had since left the EFCC headquarters without being interrogated after its officials asked him to leave.

SolaceBase had that the EFCC on Wednesday denied having former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello in its holding facility

 In a statement by Dele Oyewale, EFCC Head, Media & Publicity, on Wednesday said,’’ The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.’’

‘’Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,’’ the EFCC statement said.

However, Yahaya Bello’s office statement said, “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,” Ohiare stated.