The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied arresting the embattled former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, saying he remained a wanted person.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.
He said, “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. 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.”
Yahaya Adoza Bello and others were accused of conspiring in February 2016 to convert N80,246,470,088.88, allegedly obtained through a criminal breach of trust, violating Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended.
The ex-governor denied the charges. The anti-graft agency had also obtained a bench(arrest) warrant from the Federal High Court in Abuja against the former governor due to his non-appearance.
Bello’s legal team appealed, but the trial court ruled that the criminal case must continue in accordance with court rules.
However, separate sittings of the Appeal Court stayed the execution of all proceedings in the suits filed at the Kogi State High Court by Bello and ordered him to stand trial at the Abuja High Court.
The EFCC and other security agencies had declared Bello wanted, citing their inability to track his whereabouts or arrest him.
The EFCC accused the Kogi State government of using its “immunity” to shield Bello.
