Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has denied allegations of being a fugitive. His denial comes in response to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accusing him of involvement in the laundering of N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi State Government.
Bello, through his media officer, Ohiare Michael, stated that the EFCC had never invited him for questioning regarding the allegations. He challenged the EFCC to provide evidence of the invitation they claim to have sent him after he left office.
In a statement by Michael, he said, “Let it be known to all that Alhaji Yahaya Bello is not afraid of the EFCC, he is not a fugitive running from the law. All he demands is that the rule of law be respected.”
The statement further challenges the EFCC to publish a copy of the alleged invitation delivered to Yahaya Bello, including the date of delivery and to whom it was delivered. They asserted that the EFCC would not be able to produce any evidence of such invitation.
The EFCC had previously laid siege to Bello’s Abuja residence on April 17 in a bid to arrest him. However, during the siege, Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi arrived at the scene, and shortly after his departure, the EFCC operatives ended their siege.
Amid this, the Kogi High Court issued a restraining order against the commission from “harassing, threatening to arrest or detaining” Bello. Nevertheless, on the same day, the EFCC obtained a warrant of arrest against Bello from a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Bello’s whereabouts became unknown, leading the EFCC to declare him wanted and place him on a watchlist.
