Breaking! Alleged N80.2bn fraud: EFCC declares Yahaya Bello wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday declared wanted the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello.

It said Bello, 48, was wanted in connection with an alleged case of money laundering to the tune of N80,246,470,089,88.

The Commission published the notice online via a flyer posted on its official Facebook page on Thursday, April 18.

It urged anyone with useful information as to his whereabouts to contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja offices, or any other law enforcement agency.

The notice, seen by Nigerian Current, on Thursday evening, reads: “WANTED. YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO

“The public is hereby notified that YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO (former Governor of Kogi State), whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with an alleged case of Money Laundering to the tune of N80,246,470,089,88.

“Bello, 48-year-old Ebiraman, is a native of Okenne Local Government of Kogi State. His last known address is 9. Benghazi Street Wuse Zone 4, Abuja

“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja offices or through these numbers 09-9944751-3. 08093322644, 08163322644, 07026350721-3, 0706350724-5; its e-mail address: info@efccnigeria.org or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.”

On Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the EFCC threatened to invite the army to arrest Bello.

The court fixed April 23, 2024, to decide Bello’s arraignment fate concerning the alleged money laundering charge.

Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the date to decide on the EFCC’s bid to effect service of the 19-count charge and proof of evidence on Bello’s lawyers and his possible arraignment before the court on the charge.

The former governor has been in a running battle with the Commission over alleged fraud.

Bello, who completed his tenure as Kogi State governor on 27 January, was scheduled for arraignment on the charge on Thursday.

But he was absent, stalling the scheduled arraignment.

The judge had, on Wednesday, issued a warrant of arrest against Bello, based on an ex parte application filed by the EFCC’s lead counsel Dr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) for the anti-graft agency.

The Commission made futile efforts to effect his arrest at his residence in Abuja on Wednesday.

At Thursday’s proceedings, Dr. Pinheiro informed the court that Bello was being shielded and protected by a person of immunity from facing trial for alleged money laundering.

There have been media reports that Bello’s arrest by EFCC personnel was thwarted by the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, who was alleged to have sneaked Bello away in his official vehicle.

Pinheiro leads an EFCC team comprising Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) and seven other lawyers.

But Bello’s lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN told the court that his client was absent from court because he had obtained an interim order from the High Court of Kogi State, restraining the EFCC from arresting and prosecuting the former governor.

Mohammed said his client was not in breach of any court order, arguing, among others, that an appeal on a suit referenced by the EFCC was pending at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

The lawyer also declined to accept copies of the charges on behalf of Bello.