Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, has explained why security agencies have not arrested former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello despite allegations of financial crimes totalling N80.2 billion.
According to Onanuga, the situation is “complicated” due to the immunity currently enjoyed by Bello’s successor, Governor Usman Ododo, who is reportedly sheltering the former governor.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had declared Bello wanted after multiple attempts to apprehend him. However, whenever the EFCC approached his residence, Ododo allegedly intervened, allowing Bello to evade arrest by providing him refuge at the governor’s lodge.
Onanuga, speaking on Channels Television’s Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, highlighted that Governor Ododo’s constitutional immunity prevents the EFCC or police from entering his residence to arrest Bello. He compared the situation to that of a diplomat with immunity, where authorities are restricted in their actions.
“It’s a bit complicated. The EFCC is a federal government agency that wants to arrest Yahaya Bello. Yahaya Bello is hiding under the agbada (flowing robe) of the governor of Kogi State, his (Bello’s) successor, who happens to enjoy immunity,” Onanuga explained.
He emphasized that as long as Bello remains inside the governor’s house, law enforcement cannot proceed with an arrest without violating the immunity granted to Ododo. Drawing a parallel, he likened it to the situation where Julian Assange sought refuge in an embassy in the UK to avoid arrest, noting that authorities could not act until Assange eventually left the embassy.
“The police cannot storm the place and say they want to arrest him. That’s the problem of the EFCC, and the police cannot help the EFCC,” Onanuga added.
The EFCC has been pursuing Bello for alleged financial crimes from his tenure as governor, from May 2015 to May 2023. The ongoing impasse between the EFCC’s mandate and Governor Ododo’s constitutional protections continues to prevent further action against Bello.
