EFCC Cries Out, Says Yahaya Bello Still Wanted
Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, remains on the run 107 days after being declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that Bello “remains wanted until he is arrested.”
The EFCC had declared Bello wanted on April 18, 2024, for alleged money laundering involving N80,246,470,089.88.
On April 17, armed men and police thwarted EFCC’s attempt to apprehend Bello at his Abuja residence. Current Kogi State governor, Usman Ododo, intervened and escorted Bello from the scene.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had issued a warrant for Bello’s arrest, along with three others, for 19 counts of money laundering. Despite this, EFCC has been unable to detain Bello, delaying the arraignment.
Austin Okai, a PDP candidate, claimed on June 21 that Bello was hiding in Lokoja’s Government House, contradicting reports that he had fled the country. The EFCC continues its manhunt, but Bello has yet to surrender.
Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, criticized EFCC’s efforts, stating, “It is surprising that despite all the hot waves and drama of the EFCC, including the vow of the chairman that he would resign if he couldn’t arrest Yahaya Bello, the man is still out there more than three months after he was declared wanted.
“If they truly wanted to arrest Yahaya Bello, they would have arrested him. If this was a case of a poor man, they would have easily arrested him.”
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, dismissed allegations of compromise, insisting Bello remains wanted.
“If an anti-corruption agency declares a suspect wanted, all over the world, he remains wanted until he is arrested,” Oyewale said. “Judicial processes are ongoing.”
