Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday surrounded the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja, attempting to arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello. This action came despite Bello’s media team asserting that he had voluntarily visited the EFCC headquarters earlier that day to clear his name.
According to a statement from Bello’s Media Office, led by Ohiare Michael, the former governor went to the EFCC office to address allegations related to an alleged N80.2 billion fraud. The statement claimed that despite his voluntary visit, EFCC officials refused to interrogate him and asked him to return at a later date. Subsequently, EFCC operatives reportedly surrounded the Kogi State Government Lodge, firing sporadically in an effort to apprehend Bello.
The EFCC, however, denied these claims. Spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated that Bello was not in their custody and remained wanted under a subsisting arrest warrant. Oyewale emphasized that Bello had been declared wanted by the EFCC in April for money laundering offenses, and the agency had a valid court order for his arrest.
Bello’s media team criticized the EFCC’s actions as unnecessary and politically motivated, questioning the timing and nature of the attempted arrest. They alleged that the EFCC’s behavior contradicted the respect for due process and the rule of law.
In response to the drama, Michael noted that despite the former governor’s cooperation and his legal team’s presence at the EFCC office, the agency did not proceed with interrogation. He reiterated that Bello had nothing to hide and was committed to complying with legal processes.
The standoff follows earlier attempts by the EFCC to arrest and arraign Bello, which led to his being declared wanted. The Court of Appeal had instructed him to surrender for arraignment, which Bello’s team claims he honored willingly.
