The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly stormed the Kogi Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, on Wednesday night, September 18, in an attempt to arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello.
According to Bello’s media office, EFCC operatives fired shots sporadically in the air during the raid.
Ohiare Michael, Bello’s media director, condemned the EFCC’s actions, stating that the former governor had made himself available for interrogation.
“It has come to our notice that people suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello. They were shooting sporadically.
“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily earlier today but the commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount a Gestapo-like attack on the Kogi State Government facility in Asokoro.”
The statement continued: “We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him. “Tonight’s attack was needless as the former Governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation.
“The EFCC had no question to ask Alhaji Yahaya Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him. “This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they were fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption.
“This action reflects much more than the fight against corruption.
“We will keep Nigerians posted.”
This development comes after Bello’s team said he voluntarily visited the EFCC headquarters earlier in the day, only to be told to leave and return later.
However, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale denied that Bello was in their custody, adding that the ex-governor remains wanted. This contradicts Bello’s team’s claim that he visited the EFCC headquarters and was asked to leave.
The EFCC has been pursuing Bello over allegations of N80.2 billion money laundering. Bello faces 19-count charges alongside his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu.
It can be recalled that the EFCC filed charges against Bello and others in March 2024. The commission alleges that they conspired to convert N80,246,470,089.88, reasonably known to be proceeds of unlawful activity, specifically criminal breach of trust.
