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.
The development comes after months of hide and seek game 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.
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.
“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 sated.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed reports claiming that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello is in its custody.
According to the anti-graft agency, the ex-governor remains at large and is still wanted for alleged financial misconduct.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale clarified the situation.
“Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello, is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect,” Oyewale stated.
The commission further reaffirmed that Bello faces an arrest warrant over alleged money laundering charges amounting to ₦80.2 billion.
“Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged ₦80.2 billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” the statement read.
The clarification comes amid widespread speculation about the former governor’s whereabouts and legal status.
The EFCC’s statement effectively ends rumours of his detention while underscoring the severity of the allegations against him.
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