Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has denied being a fugitive and challenged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to provide evidence of an invitation sent to him after he left office.
Bello’s media officer, Ohiare Michael, stated that the EFCC had never invited the former governor for questioning, despite claims to the contrary. Michael challenged the EFCC to publish a copy of the invitation, the date it was delivered, and who it was delivered to, as he is confident that the EFCC will not be able to produce any of the foregoing.
Bello is not afraid of the EFCC and demands that the rule of law be respected, according to Michael. The EFCC had accused Bello of involvement in the laundering of N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi State Government and had laid siege to his Abuja residence in a bid to arrest him on April 17.
However, Bello was believed to have been rescued from his residence by Usman Ododo, the Governor of Kogi, who arrived at the scene shortly after the EFCC operatives ended their siege. Amidst the drama, the Kogi High Court issued a restraining order to the commission from “harassing, threatening to arrest or detaining” Bello.
On the same day, the EFCC obtained a warrant of arrest against Bello from a Federal High Court in Abuja. Subsequently, Bello’s whereabouts became unknown, and he was declared wanted by the anti-graft agency and placed on a watchlist.
