The immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is reportedly in hiding and has canceled a planned trip to Okene town to avoid encountering operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who are said to be seeking him for questioning.
Top government sources suggest that Bello is currently at the Government House, Lokoja, enjoying the “protection” of his predecessor and godson, Usman Ododo.
Sahara Reporters quoted government sources saying Bello canceled his trip to Okene upon learning of the EFCC’s presence,.
Some sources claim he is still at the Government House in Lokoja, while others suggest that his location remains unknown.
It had been previously reported that the EFCC’s suit seeking the forfeiture of 14 properties belonging to Bello and the sum of N400 million linked to him was struck out by Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The court cited Bello’s immunity from prosecution under the 1999 constitution during his tenure as governor.
The EFCC, however, filed a notice of appeal, arguing that the court erred in dismissing the suit based on the respondent’s immunity, emphasizing that the immunity does not extend to properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime traced to him.
It is expected that further details will emerge as the situation unfolds.
