The former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has been placed on the Federal Government’s watchlist to prevent his potential escape from the country. The Nigerian Immigration Service issued a circular on April 18, 2024, signed by Assistant Comptroller of Immigration DS Umar, alerting the police and the Department of State Services to apprehend Bello.
This action was taken after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared Bello wanted for his alleged involvement in a money laundering case amounting to N80.2 billion. Despite failed attempts to arrest him in Abuja, the EFCC officially declared Bello wanted on their Facebook page.
Furthermore, there was a disagreement between the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and Abdulwahab Mohammed (SAN) regarding the EFCC’s attempt to arrest Bello.
The NIS circular, shared with the DSS and the police, contains details such as Bello’s name, nationality, and passport number (B50083321). The circular emphasizes that Bello is facing charges of Conspiracy, Breach of Trust, and Money Laundering before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The circular instructs that if Bello is spotted at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation or contacted via specified phone numbers for further action.
The EFCC, through a public notice, announced Bello as wanted for Money Laundering totaling N80,246,470,089.88. Anyone with information on his whereabouts was urged to contact the EFCC offices nationwide. Bello’s absence from his scheduled arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja led to these recent developments.
