Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over allegations of fraud amounting to N80.2 billion.
Bello, who had reportedly been in hiding since April 2024, was apprehended and brought to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja at approximately 12:55 p.m. on Tuesday. His arrest came months after the anti-graft agency declared him wanted for failing to respond to multiple invitations and subsequently being tried in absentia.
EFCC operatives dismissed claims that the former governor voluntarily surrendered himself, clarifying that his arrest was the result of strategic intelligence gathering. Speaking to journalists, a detective from the agency said, “You think that man (Yahaya Bello) is ready to be taken to court? Your guess is as good as mine. What I can tell you is that the man was nabbed by our tactical operatives after gathering substantial intelligence. If he submitted himself as they are claiming, you think he wouldn’t come with the incumbent governor, Mr. Usman Ododo? This insinuation that he drove himself to us should be discarded.”
Bello is facing charges related to a high-profile money laundering case that led to the EFCC declaring him wanted on April 18, 2024. The allegations revolve around the mismanagement of public funds during his tenure as governor.
Fresh charges were filed against him before Justice Maryanne Anenih of the FCT High Court in Maitama. The court, which first heard the case on November 14, adjourned the proceedings to today (November 27) following a request by EFCC counsel to allow for further preparation.
The commission explained that the 30-day period provided under the law for Bello to respond to earlier summons was still ongoing.
More details on the proceedings are expected as the case unfolds in court.
