N80bn Fraud Allegations: Yahaya Bello Under EFCC Scrutiny

EFCC Probe: Yahaya Bello Embroiled in N80bn Fraud Controversy

“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...”

Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello's EFCC visit ends abruptly, fuels controversy.

Controversy surrounds former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello's reported visit to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters. Bello's media team claims he honored the invitation, but the EFCC disputes this, insisting he remains a wanted person. This development follows months of cat-and-mouse between the EFCC and Bello, who was declared wanted after ignoring the Commission's invitations and failing to appear in court for his arraignment over an N80.2 billion fraud case.

Background of the Controversy

Months-long Hide and Seek: The EFCC and Bello have been engaged in a prolonged game of evasion, with the former governor evading invitations and court appearances.

EFCC's Wanted Declaration: Bello was declared wanted by the EFCC due to his failure to cooperate with the investigation.

Contradictory Claims: Bello's media team and the EFCC offer conflicting accounts of his visit, fueling the controversy.

Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, made a surprise visit to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters on Wednesday, accompanied by his successor, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo. According to Bello, the purpose of his visit was to honor the EFCC's invitation and clear his name regarding the N80 billion fraud allegations. However, in a dramatic twist, the EFCC later announced that Bello is still a wanted man and not in their custody.

It seems like there's more to the story than meets the eye. The controversy surrounding Bello's visit has sparked conflicting claims between his media team and the EFCC. While Bello's team maintains that he voluntarily honored the invitation, the EFCC insists that he remains at large.

Key Points of Controversy:

Conflicting Claims: Bello's media team and the EFCC offer differing accounts of his visit.

Wanted Status: The EFCC declares Bello still wanted, despite his alleged visit.

Allegations: Bello faces N80 billion fraud allegations.

“Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” the commission's spokesperson, Dele Oyewale said.

Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, made a surprise visit to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters, but surprisingly left without being questioned. According to his media office, headed by Ohiare Michael, EFCC officials asked Bello to leave without interrogating him. This development has sparked controversy, especially since Bello was declared wanted by the EFCC due to his failure to cooperate with the investigation into the N80 billion fraud allegations.

It's worth noting that there are conflicting claims surrounding Bello's visit. While his media team claims he voluntarily honored the invitation, the EFCC insists that he remains at large. The sudden departure without questioning has raised eyebrows, with some questioning the EFCC's handling of the situation.

Key Points of Controversy:

Conflicting Claims: Bello's media team and the EFCC offer differing accounts of his visit.

Wanted Status: The EFCC declares Bello still wanted, despite his alleged visit.

Allegations: Bello faces N80 billion fraud allegations.

It's worth noting that Bello has been embroiled in corruption allegations, with human-rights activist Deji Adeyanju stating that he “should be in jail forever.” The EFCC has been investigating Bello's involvement in the mismanagement of Kogi State funds, including the recovery of ₦19.3 billion in salary bailout funds. The sudden departure without questioning has raised eyebrows, with some questioning the EFCC's handling of the situation.

"Earlier today, we reported the voluntary visit of former Governor of Kogi State, HE Alh. 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,” Ohiare sated.

Bello aimed to utilize the visit as an opportunity to vindicate himself and address the allegations levied against him.

“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 statement continued.

“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.

This development adds to the ongoing saga between Bello and the EFCC, with more updates expected in the coming days.