Yahaya Bello Not Running from the Law — EFCC Never Invited Him, Says Media Office

The media office of Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, stated that he was never officially invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), despite the agency declaring him wanted for alleged involvement in laundering N80.2 billion of government funds.

In a statement signed by Ohiare Michael, the media office of Yahaya Bello emphasized that the anti-graft agency has not formally reached out to him, leading to his being declared wanted without prior notice. The statement further asserted that Bello is not afraid of the EFCC or running from the law.

On April 17, 2024, EFCC operatives conducted a raid on Bello’s Abuja residence in an attempt to arrest him. The incident took a dramatic turn when Kogi Governor Usman Ododo arrived at the scene, leading to the EFCC’s withdrawal shortly after Ododo’s departure. The agency later declared Bello wanted and placed him on a watchlist with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Amid this turmoil, the Kogi High Court delivered a judgment that restrained the EFCC from “harassing, threatening to arrest, or detaining” the former governor. Despite this, the EFCC obtained a federal arrest warrant from a high court in Abuja, leading to the siege on Bello’s residence.

In response, Michael stated that Bello is not evading the EFCC and challenged the agency to present evidence of an invitation. The statement read: “Let it be known to all that Alhaji Yahaya Bello is not afraid of the EFCC; he is not a fugitive running from the Law. All he demands is that the rule of law be respected.”

In an earlier statement, the EFCC claimed that Bello was invited to its office when his term as governor ended, but he declined, requesting operatives to visit his village instead. Bello’s media office challenged this claim, urging the EFCC to produce a copy of the alleged invitation, along with details on who received it and when it was delivered.

The media office also accused the EFCC of violating a court order barring the agency from further harassing or arresting the former governor. “For the protection of his reputation, rights to presumption of innocence, liberty, and dignity of the human person, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as a law-abiding citizen, filed a fundamental rights enforcement action in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024,” said Michael.