EFCC Storms Kogi Govt Lodge, Attempts Arrest Of Yahaya Bello, Says Aide

The media office of the former Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has alleged that EFCC operatives on Wednesday night, laid siege to the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to arrest the ex-governor.

The team’s Media Director, Ohiare Michael, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, alleged that the anti-graft officers shot sporadically in the air in the bid to carry out their aim.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the anti-graft agency had filed a 19-count money laundering charge amounting to over N80 billion against Bello before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Bello had since been declared wanted by the EFCC.

The statement reads: “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.

“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 Alhaji 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.
“We will keep Nigerians posted.”