ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, reportedly left the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, office on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, without being interrogated, following his widely reported voluntary visit to honour the commission’s invitation.
According to a statement issued by his media office, the EFCC officials informed Bello that he could leave without undergoing questioning.
The statement, signed by Michael Ohiare, Director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, confirmed that the former governor, who was accompanied by the current Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, had visited the EFCC to clear his name.
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“We don’t know what this means yet. As we write, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office,” the statement read.
The former governor’s legal team has been representing him in a case currently before a competent court, and his voluntary visit was intended to demonstrate his willingness to cooperate with the authorities.
“The former Governor decided to honour the invitation to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear,” the statement added.
The reason for the EFCC’s invitation and the details of the ongoing investigation have not been publicly disclosed.
‘Yahaya Bello Still on the Run for Money Laundering Charges,’ EFCC Debunks Reports
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has refuted reports that Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, is in its custody.
The commission clarified that the ex-governor remains a wanted individual with an outstanding arrest warrant for alleged money laundering.
In a statement released on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, by the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC addressed rumours circulating in the media that Bello had been detained at the Commission’s holding facility.
The agency categorically denied the reports, confirming that Bello is still at large.
“Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, are incorrect. The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody,” Oyewale said.
The EFCC reiterated that Bello has been declared wanted in connection with an alleged N80.2 billion money laundering case.
The Commission’s statement noted that a subsisting warrant remains active for his arrest.
“Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2 billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” the statement added.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Speculation
The former governor’s legal troubles stem from accusations of large-scale financial mismanagement during his tenure in Kogi State.
Allegations include laundering billions of naira in state funds, an issue that has drawn significant public attention.
Despite the EFCC’s confirmation of the ongoing search for Bello, recent media reports had suggested that the former governor was apprehended in a midnight operation.
The EFCC’s clarification puts these rumors to rest while signaling that the search for the former governor is still underway.
Bello, who served as governor from 2016 to 2023, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. His legal team has argued that the allegations are politically motivated, although the EFCC continues to pursue the case.
Public Interest in the Case
The high-profile nature of the case has captured significant public interest, as many await further developments regarding the former governor’s whereabouts and potential apprehension.
The EFCC has urged the public to disregard misinformation while confirming that efforts to bring Bello into custody are ongoing.
The Commission’s statement also emphasised that anyone with information on the former governor’s location should contact the authorities as the case continues to unfold.
