The unfolding drama between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, continues to escalate, with no resolution in sight.
EFCC operatives attempted to arrest Bello late Wednesday night after surrounding the Kogi State Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, where the former governor was reportedly hiding.
Despite a prolonged siege, the anti-graft agency was unable to apprehend Bello, who has been declared wanted for alleged money laundering involving N80.2 billion.
Bello had earlier claimed to have honoured the EFCC’s invitation, maintaining that he had nothing to hide.
However, sources say that after several hours of trying to arrest him at the lodge, the EFCC operatives were thwarted due to the interference of Bello’s successor, Governor Usman Ododo.
The governor is accused of providing cover for Bello, making it difficult for the EFCC to execute the arrest warrant.
“If not because of his successor, a sitting governor that is providing him cover, we would have arrested him since,” an EFCC detective told Daily Trust.
The situation is further complicated by Bello’s recent escape from the commission’s grasp, using a method similar to a previous incident in April when he evaded arrest.
After initially resisting EFCC summons, Bello had agreed to cooperate but managed to elude detention at the last minute, reportedly hiding in Governor Ododo’s convoy.
The EFCC, led by its chairman Ola Olukoyede, has been cautious in its approach due to legal considerations, particularly Governor Ododo’s immunity.
Despite Bello’s efforts to portray himself as willing to cooperate, the EFCC remains resolute in pursuing his arrest.
The controversy surrounding Bello has only deepened following allegations that he transferred $720,000 in government funds to pay his children’s school fees abroad before leaving office.
Bello’s legal team has consistently denied the allegations, asserting his innocence and claiming that he has cooperated with all legal proceedings.
The EFCC’s struggle to arrest Bello is part of an ongoing effort to bring him to justice over allegations of corruption and money laundering.
However, as the standoff between the former governor and the anti-graft agency drags on, it is unclear when or how this saga will conclude.
For now, the EFCC has reportedly begun to revise its strategy in a bid to finally apprehend Bello, but the specifics of these new tactics remain undisclosed.
