The reported visit of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters has generated significant controversy, with conflicting statements from Bello’s media team and the anti-graft agency.
On Wednesday, the Yahaya Bello Media Office Director, Ohiare Michael, stated that the former governor voluntarily visited the EFCC in Abuja to honour an invitation. Michael explained that the decision came after consultations with Bello’s legal team and political allies, emphasizing that the visit was a cooperative gesture aimed at clearing his name of all allegations.
“Former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, today honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. This decision was made after due consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies,” Michael said. He further highlighted that Bello’s respect for the rule of law and his desire to enforce his fundamental rights drove the visit, which he framed as an effort to ensure due process in addressing the charges.
However, the EFCC swiftly countered these claims, maintaining that Bello remains a wanted person for alleged money laundering charges totalling ₦80.2 billion. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated that Bello had not turned himself in to the commission’s custody and remains wanted with an existing warrant for his arrest.
“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 are incorrect. The commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody,” the EFCC clarified.
In response, Bello’s media office reiterated that the former governor had visited the EFCC office and expressed surprise that the commission did not interrogate him during his visit. They maintained that Bello had visited voluntarily to honour the invitation and clear his name, as he had nothing to hide or fear.
“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,” Bello’s media team said, adding that he was accompanied by the current Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The EFCC has brought 19 charges against the former governor, including his nephews, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, for money laundering offences amounting to ₦80,246,470,088.88. Despite multiple attempts to arrest and arraign him, the commission has declared Yahaya Bello wanted.
The controversy around Bello’s visit to the EFCC adds another layer to the unfolding legal battle, as both sides continue to present contradictory accounts of his engagement with the agency.
