Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, following his arrest over allegations of fraud totaling N110 billion.
Bello had been declared wanted by the EFCC in April after evading multiple invitations and arrest attempts. The charges, initially 19 counts of money laundering involving N80 billion, were later amended to 16 counts with an increased sum of over N110 billion.
The EFCC accused Bello and his co-defendants of purchasing 12 properties in Abuja with the allegedly laundered funds.
Despite court orders, including a directive from the Court of Appeal for him to surrender for trial, Bello had repeatedly avoided arraignment.
Efforts to apprehend him were reportedly hindered by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, who allegedly facilitated Bello’s escape during an EFCC raid in April.
In September, Bello visited the EFCC headquarters but left without interrogation, prompting the agency to maintain his status as wanted. A public summons was later issued by Justice Maryanne Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, requiring Bello to appear in court for a fresh 16-count charge of criminal breach of trust and other allegations.
Following the expiration of the summons, EFCC operatives arrested Bello on Tuesday at around 12:59 pm. Sources confirmed that Bello was interrogated for hours and remains in custody pending his arraignment.
The EFCC is set to present Bello before the FCT High Court today. Another top source in the commission told The PUNCH, “Definitely he will be at the FCT High Court tomorrow (today). Having evaded proceedings since the commencement of his trial, his arrest has presented us an opportunity to finally arraign him. I can assure you that he will have his day in court on Wednesday (today).”
Efforts to reach the EFCC spokesperson and Bello’s media team for comments were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
