Alleged N80.2bn Fraud: “How Yahaya Bello Escaped EFCC Arrest,” Operatives Spill
- The EFCC has claimed that Kogi state Governor Usman Ododo is interfering with the case of Yahaya Bello and the anti-graft agency
- On Wednesday, Bello stormed the EFCC's headquarters in Abuja and his media team claimed operatives of the anti-graft agency asked him to leave
- Operatives of the EFCC have disclosed that Ododo's actions prevented them from arresting Bello over an alleged N80.2bn fraud case
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
The former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, reportedly evaded arrest by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, September 18, with the assistance of his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.
Source: Facebook
Recall that on Wednesday night, the EFCC had laid siege to the Kogi state Government Lodge in Abuja in an attempt to apprehend Bello, who is wanted over an alleged N80.2bn fraud case.
Interestingly, Ododo allegedly helped Bello avoid arrest, leveraging the immunity he enjoys as a sitting governor.
The incident followed a similar attempt in April, where Ododo reportedly facilitated Bello’s escape from EFCC operatives during a raid in Abuja.
Speaking on what transpired on Wednesday night, one of the officials who pleaded anonymity told The Punch that:
“Yahaya Bello has not been arrested. The Kogi State governor prevented operatives from doing their work yesterday just like he did the other time. He took him away and our men could not do anything because of the immunity he (Ododo) is enjoying.”
As of the time of filing this report, EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, is yet to speak on the matter.
Daily Trust reported that Bello had since returned to the State Government House in Lokoja, Kogi state capital, where he had been hiding before he came to Abuja to “honour EFCC invitation”.
The Cable also confirmed the report in its publication.
Read more about Yahaya Bello here:
- Confusion as EFCC says Yahaya Bello not in its custody
- Nigerians react as Yahaya Bello explains why he surrendered to EFCC
- EFCC vs Yahaya Bello: Drama as activist apologises to ex-Kogi governor, video trends
Yahaya Bello: PDP chieftain backs EFCC
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Usman Okai Austin, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi state, backed the EFCC's decision to place Bello on Interpol watch.
Okai who was the PDP candidate in 2023 for the Dekina/Bassa house of representatives election, maintained that this move rekindled the hope for justice in the face of alleged wrongdoing.
Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng
