Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s recent visit to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters has sparked controversy. While Bello’s media team claims he voluntarily visited the EFCC to clear his name of corruption allegations, the anti-graft agency denies this and insists he remains a wanted person.
According to a statement from the Director of Yahaya Bello’s Media Office, Ohiare Michael, the former governor honored the EFCC’s invitation following consultations with his legal team and political allies. Michael emphasized that Bello, respecting the rule of law, was determined to clear his name.
However, the EFCC contradicted this, with its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, asserting that Bello was neither in the agency’s custody nor had he been interrogated. The EFCC reiterated that Bello remains wanted on charges of money laundering amounting to over N80 billion, with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.
Bello’s team maintains that he was not interrogated and left the EFCC office, accompanied by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo. The EFCC has charged Bello and three others with 19 counts of money laundering.
The conflicting accounts raise questions about the former governor’s legal standing and the next steps in the case.
