Yahaya Bello in EFCC's Crosshairs: Agency Slams Governor as 'Irresponsible

EFCC Investigates Yahaya Bello

“This is no more than scaremongering intended to scandalise the Commission...”

Yahaya Bello requests trial transfer to Kogi state amidst money kaundering charges.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is determined to bring former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to justice, stressing that he must face trial for alleged money laundering offenses. Bello, who's been declared wanted, is accused of conspiring with others to launder approximately N80.2 billion.

The EFCC's frustration with Bello stems from his evasion of the law, with the commission describing him as “rascally irresponsible” for resisting lawful arraignment and treating the court with contempt. The court has made it clear that Bello's applications will not be entertained until he presents himself for arraignment.

Alleged Offenses:

Conspiracy to Launder N80.2 Billion: Bello allegedly conspired with others to launder funds between 2015 and 2022.

Criminal Breach of Trust: He's accused of misappropriating funds and violating trust as a public officer.

Money Laundering: Bello allegedly aided others in concealing funds and transferring large sums of money illegally.

The EFCC is resolute in its pursuit of justice, emphasizing that no individual is above the law.

“It is public knowledge that a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, had made several unsuccessful attempts to throw spanners in his ongoing trial through some irresponsible and utterly rascally efforts,” the anti-graft agency said in a statement by its representative, Dele Oyewale, on Wednesday, September 25.

It added, “Yahaya Bello should be more interested in clearing his name than playing the victim and crying persecution where none exists.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is determined to bring former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to justice, stressing that he must face trial for alleged money laundering offenses. Bello, who's been declared wanted, is accused of conspiring with others to launder approximately N80.2 billion.

"To even insinuate that Bello was the target of a phantom assassination attempt because the EFCC made efforts to effect his arrest at the Kogi State Governor's Lodge, where he had been hiding, is preposterous.

“It is the first time in the Commission's more than two decades of existence that such a jejune claim would be made.

“This is no more than scaremongering intended to scandalise the Commission,” the statement reads.

“But the EFCC is not deterred by this and other shenanigans by the ex-governor.

“The Commission remains committed to ensuring that the law takes its course in the money laundering charges already filed against Yahaya Bello in court.”

Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, has yet to enter a plea in response to the N80.2 billion money laundering charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Emeka Nwite. The EFCC is determined to bring Bello to justice, emphasizing that he must face trial for allegedly conspiring with others to launder approximately N80.2 billion.

“His invasion of the corporate headquarters of the Commission with a retinue of security details, hand-to-hand cahoots, and carriage with a sitting governor having immunity, unwarranted media blitz, scripted sleight of hands unknown to the public, and other backend intelligence available to the Commission compelled a tactical rebuff of his touted surrender offer.”

It added, “The incident of Wednesday, September 18, regarding the orchestrated antics of the former governor to surrender himself to the EFCC, having denied being invited by the Commission and operating underground as a fugitive for several months, expectedly raised concerns and curiosity among many Nigerians who had been waiting frantically for his arrest and trial.”

Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello was declared wanted by the EFCC in April for alleged N80.2 billion theft from the state treasury, after his security details foiled an arrest attempt.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello wanted in April for allegedly embezzling N80.2 billion from the state treasury. This development followed an attempted arrest thwarted by his security personnel.

Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, has made a surprising move amidst his ongoing trial for alleged money laundering offenses. Through his lawyers, led by Abdulwahab Mohammed, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Bello has written to Justice John Tsoho, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, requesting that his trial be transferred to Kogi State. This development comes after Bello repeatedly failed to appear for scheduled arraignments, with his whereabouts remaining unknown.

It's worth noting that Bello is facing a 17-count charge of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N84,062,406,089.88, alongside his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu. The EFCC has been pursuing Bello, accusing him of conspiring to convert funds reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

Trial Update

 Bello's trial has been ongoing, with witnesses testifying against him.

 The EFCC has presented evidence, including documents and witness testimony, to support the charges.

 Bello's lawyers have objected to the charges, but the court has overruled their objection.