The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially declared former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello wanted for alleged economic and financial crimes. This declaration was communicated through a notice posted on the commission's official Facebook page on Thursday.
According to the notice, Bello,
a 48-year-old Ebira man hailing from Okenne Local Government of Kogi State, is
wanted in connection with an alleged case of Money Laundering totaling
N80,246,470,089.88. His last known address was listed as 9, Benghazi Street,
Wuse Zone 4, Abuja. The notice urges individuals with any information about
Bello's whereabouts to contact any EFCC office nationwide.
The EFCC had earlier obtained a
warrant of arrest from the Federal High Court in Abuja to apprehend Bello.
During proceedings on Thursday, the EFCC's legal team, led by Kemi Pinheiro,
SAN, affirmed their readiness to execute the arrest warrant, even if it necessitates
the use of force. Pinheiro emphasized that immunity only extends to individuals
and not buildings, citing legal provisions that allow for the arrest of evading
defendants.
Efforts to arrest Bello faced
resistance when a group of armed men, identified as "Special Forces,"
along with officers from the Nigeria Police Force, intervened at his Abuja
residence on Wednesday. The current governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo,
reportedly intervened to prevent Bello's arrest, and his team escorted Bello
out of the location in the governor's vehicle.
Bello, along with three other
suspects - Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu - are slated to be
arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on 19 counts related to money laundering
amounting to N80,246,470,088.88.
Post a Comment