In a dramatic turn of events, operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) laid siege to the Kogi Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, on Wednesday night, attempting to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello.
This came after Bello had voluntarily visited the EFCC office earlier in the day, only to be told to return at a later date.
According to Ohiare Michael, Bello’s Director of Media, the EFCC operatives were shooting sporadically, prompting widespread concern. Michael condemned the attack and urged Nigerians to hold the EFCC accountable should anything happen to Bello.
In a statement, Michael said, “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.”
Michael emphasized that Bello had made himself available for interrogation at the EFCC office, only to be met with this sudden and aggressive action. “Tonight’s attack was needless, as the former governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation. The EFCC had no questions to ask Alh. Yahaya Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him.”
*Background of the Case*
This development is the latest in the EFCC’s investigation into alleged corruption involving Bello. The former governor faces N84 billion money laundering charges alongside his nephew, Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu. The EFCC has also linked Bello to a suspected N100 billion fraud case.
As tensions continue to rise, Nigerians await further developments in this unfolding saga.
