The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has said that the former Kogi State Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello has been detained by the commission.
EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest of Bello to journalists on Tuesday, stating that Bello was arrested by the commission’s chief security officer.
“It is true that we have him in our custody. The operatives of the commission arrested him,” the spokesperson for the commission said.
Credible News earlier reported that Bello went to the EFCC headquarters on Tuesday morning with his lawyers to answer to the allegations of misappropriation of funds against him after months of shunning repeated invitations.
It was learnt that the former governor went to the EFCC office with his lawyers without his successor, Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, who followed him to the EFCC office few weeks ago.
This followed the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed states’ case on the constitutionality of the anti-graft agency.
READ ALSO: Again, Yahaya Bello presents self to EFCC
At the last hearing on November 14, the EFCC had sought adjournment to Wednesday, November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello, saying the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
The EFCC, however, admitted his co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, to administrative bail and prayed to the court for an extension of time for the 1st Defendant to appear.
This marks a turning point in the commission’s pursuit of the former governor, who has evaded arrest for months despite repeated attempts.
The EFCC first declared Bello wanted in April after failed attempts to secure his arrest.
In September, he appeared at the EFCC’s Abuja office in the company of Governor Ododo but left without being detained.
Bello’s counsel had earlier informed the court that his client’s whereabouts were unknown, citing safety concerns.
The commission intensified its efforts following an August 20 ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja which ordered Bello to present himself for arraignment.
The commission’s Chairman Ola Olukoyede alleged that Bello had withdrawn $720,000 from state coffers to prepay his child’s school fees abroad.
Bello faces a 19-count charge, primarily centered on allegations of money laundering.
His arraignment has been repeatedly stalled due to his absence from court proceedings. The commission alleges that Bello has been under the “protective custody” of the Kogi State government since being declared wanted.
Credible News.ng
