. I voluntarily surrendered at Commission’s headquarters, ex-Kogi gov claims
. EFCC counters, says Bello not in our custody, he remains wanted, there’s subsisting warrant for his arrest
. I visited EFCC headquarters, not interrogated, asked to leave, ex-Kogi gov insists
Samuel Adesola, Abuja
Controversy enveloped the reported visit of former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello to the Abuja headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday.
But shortly after the ex-governor’s media team claimed that Bello voluntarily surrendered himself, the EFCC countered their claims, insisting that Bello remains a fugitive on its wanted list.
Director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael, had earlier in a statement on Wednesday morning, claimed that the former Kogi governor voluntarily visited the EFCC headquarters to honour the anti-graft agency’s invitation.
Michael further claimed that Bello’s decision to surrender to the EFCC followed consultations with his lawyers, family members and political associates.
The statement read, “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.
“The former governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had all the while only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights to ensure due process.”
It further explained that Bello’s intention was to use the opportunity to clear his name of the allegations against him.
It added, “The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello has been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. It is important for the former governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name, as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.
“The former governor firmly believes in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development and supports the fight against corruption in the country.
“It is on record that he was the first governor of Kogi State to implement an anti-corruption mechanism to curb graft and ensure that the state’s resources benefit its people.
“He was accompanied to the EFCC headquarters by high-profile Nigerians. We hope that the commission will act professionally and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Details of his engagement with the operatives of the anti-graft agency will be disclosed later.”
But in a twist, the EFCC countered Bello’s media aides’ claims, insisting that the former governor was not in its custody and remained a wanted person.
EFCC’s Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale said in the agency’s counter-statement, “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.
“Bello, who has already been declared wanted by the commission for alleged N80.2 billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.”
However, in a swift reaction to the anti-graft agency’s rebuttal, the Bello Media Office insisted that the former Kogi governor visited the EFCC headquarters but the commission refused to interrogate him.
The statement read, “Earlier today, we reported the voluntary visit of former Governor of Kogi State, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office to honour the commission’s invitation.
“In the statement, we reiterated the former governor’s great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, and stressed that all the while, he only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.
“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.
“He was accompanied there by the Governor of Kogi State, HE Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
“Recall that the case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello has been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. The former governor decided to honour the invitation to clear his name, as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.”
Recall that EFCC has preferred 19 charges against the former Kogi governor, his nephew Ali Bello and two others, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, for N80.2billion money laundering offences.
The EFCC declared Bello wanted after a botched attempt to arrest and arraign him for the alleged money laundering offences.
