Former Kogi Gov. Yahaya Bello Finally Honours EFCC Invitation

Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello has responded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) invitation. 

According to his media office, which announced the development in a statement on Wednesday, the decision was made after consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies.

In April, the EFCC had declared Bello wanted after he reportedly shunned a series of invitations and resisted arrest.

EFCC officials had stormed Bello’s residence in Abuja to arrest him, but there was a stalemate.

After hours of being unable to secure their mission, the security operatives were reinforced with backup support from the Police and Department of State Services (DSS).

They were planning to forcefully arrest Bello when Governor Usman Ododo, Bello’s successor, arrived at the scene.

Ododo, who drove into Bello’s compound, departed after a while.

However, as he was leaving, reports filtered in that Bello was in his vehicle, forcing security operatives who had been on standby for hours to open fire.

Since that incident which happened on April 17, 2024, Bello had not been sighted in public.

Bello had continually denied the allegations through statements by his media team.

In Wednesday’s statement, Ohiare Michael, Director, Yahaya Bello Media Office, said, “It is our hope that the Commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Ohiare added that the details of Bello’s engagement with the operatives of the anti-graft agency would be disclosed later.

EFCC is yet to react to the development.

Daily Trust