Yaya Bello, a former governor of Nigeria’s Kogi State has finally honoured the invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The former governor had been declared wanted over allegations of money laundering and other corrupt practices to the tune of N80.2 billion.
In a statement by Ohiare Michael, Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, on Wednesday, Yahaya Bello said the “decision was made after due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies”.
According to him, he only sought enforcement of his fundamental human rights in order to ensure due process, adding that he is a respecter of the rule of law and constituted authority.
The statement reads in part: “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; supports the fight against corruption in the country.
“It is on record that he was the first Governor of Kogi State to put in place an anti-corruption mechanism to check graft and ensure that the resources of the State work for the people of the State.
“He was accompanied to the EFCC Headquarters by high-profile Nigerians.
“It is our hope that the Commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Details of his engagement with the operatives of the Anti-Graft Agency will be disclosed later.”
The move comes after Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja adjourned proceedings on the alleged money laundering case instituted by the EFCC against Bello to September 25.
Why is the EFCC after Bello?
The EFCC is prosecuting Bello along with Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19 counts of money laundering, involving the sum of N80,246,470,089.88.
On the morning of Wednesday, April 17, EFCC operatives laid siege to Yahaya Bello’s residence in an attempt to arrest him, although Bello had obtained a court order to stop the action until the originating motion was determined.
The EFCC declared former governor Yahaya Adoza Bello wanted on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in connection with an alleged money laundering case against him.
On May 13, a Kogi State High Court judge, Jamil, ordered the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to appear before the court on May 13, 2024 after an ex-parte motion filed by Yahaya Bello through his lawyer, M.S. Yusuf. Bello sought a court order to issue and serve a notice to Olukoyede, requiring him to explain why an order of committal should not be made against the EFCC chairman.
In response, the EFCC stated that it had not disobeyed any court orders in the case involving Yahaya Bello. On Tuesday, April 23, the EFCC served charges to Yahaya Adoza Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad (SAN), after Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, ruled that the former governor could be served via his lawyer, as he had failed to appear in court.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) then issued an alert against the former Kogi State governor, urging law enforcement agents to arrest him wherever he is found.
The NIS circular, signed by Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, DS Umar, was copied to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force. Additionally, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, called on Yahaya Bello to surrender himself.
A scheduled court session for Bello’s arraignment on Thursday, April 18, proceeded, but he did not appear in court. Following this, the EFCC expressed its intent to use all legal means to bring Bello to court on the next adjourned date to face corruption charges, and subsequently declared him wanted.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede revealed on April 23 that the commission had made personal efforts to invite Yahaya Bello for questioning regarding the money laundering allegations. Olukoyede recounted a phone conversation with Bello, in which he offered the former governor a private and dignified opportunity to meet with EFCC investigators. Despite this, Bello reportedly refused, asking, “Can’t they come to my village?”
Olukoyede also expressed concern about reports of how the former governor allegedly misused public funds. He highlighted an instance where Bello, anticipating his exit from office, transferred money directly from the government account to a bureau de change to pay his children’s school fees in advance, amounting to $720,000.
Olukoyede further mentioned that the EFCC had uncovered a new fraudulent scheme known as peer-to-peer (P2P) trading, which operates outside official banking channels. More than 300 accounts linked to the scheme have already been frozen by the EFCC. The commission remains committed to ensuring economic stability and development in Nigeria, with Olukoyede noting that the EFCC has recovered over N120 billion and secured more than 1,300 convictions in the past six months.
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