EFCC officials laid siege to Kogi government lodge in Abuja to forcefully arrest Yahaya Bello, says media office
The allegation by Bello's media office came after the anti-graft agency said the former governor was not in its custody and remains wanted.
The media office of Yahaya Bello says operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday laid siege on the Kogi governor’s lodge in the Asokoro district of Abuja to forcefully arrest the former governor.
The allegation by Bello’s media office came after the anti-graft agency said the former governor was not in its custody and remains wanted.
Earlier on Wednesday, Bello’s media team said the former Kogi governor was at the headquarters of the EFCC over alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of N80.2 billion, but officials of the commission refused to interrogate him.
The media team said Bello honoured the invitation after consultation with his legal team and political associates.
In a statement, Ohiare Michael, director of Bello’s media office, said the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to their principal.
“It has come to our notice that people suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello. They were shooting sporadically,” the statement reads.
“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily earlier today, but the Commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount a gestapo-like attack on the Kogi State Government facility in Asokoro.
“We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him.
“Tonight’s attack was needless as the former Governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation. The EFCC had no question to ask Alh. Yahaya Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him.
“This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they were fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption. This action reflects much more than the fight against corruption.”
