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Officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Eradication Commission (ECRC) on Wednesday night surrounded the Kogi Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, to arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello.
The drama surrounding the former governor’s case with the EFCC continued on Wednesday morning when the Director of his Media Team, Ohiare Michael, said in a statement that he had honoured the commission’s invitation months after he was declared wanted over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
Michael said Bello’s decision to appear before the anti-corruption agency was taken after consulting with his family, legal team and political colleagues.
In another statement issued hours later, the director said the former governor left the commission’s office in Abuja without being questioned.
The statement read: “The EFCC did not interrogate him. He was told he could go by officials of the commission.
“We don’t know what this means yet.
“He was accompanied to the commission office by Governor Usman Ododo.”
However, the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, in a statement confirmed that Bello remains a wanted man for alleged corruption.
He stated that the former governor was not in EFCC custody, contrary to claims by his supporters.
ALSO READ: Alleged Rs80 Billion Fraud: Controversy Hinders Yahaya Bello’s Presence at EFCC
“Today’s media report that former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the detention facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is untrue. The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.
“Bello, who has been declared wanted by the Commission for alleged money laundering of N80.2 billion, is still wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant,” Oyewale said.
The former governor’s media team director confirmed the EFCC’s invasion of the Kogi State Government in a fresh statement on Wednesday night.
He alleged that EFCC officers fired sporadically into the air in an attempt to arrest the former governor.
The statement read: “We have learnt that suspected agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are currently around Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to forcibly arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello. They are shooting sporadically.
“It was earlier reported that the former governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily today, but the commission told him to leave and come another time, only to launch a Gestapo-style attack on Kogi State Government facilities in Asokoro.
“We wish to note that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him.
“Tonight’s attack was unnecessary because the former governor attended the EFCC at their office for interrogation.
“The KPK had no questions to ask Alhaji Yahaya Bello this morning, but suddenly they came to arrest him.
“These actions are condemnable. They have shown why many Nigerians believe they are fighting a political battle instead of fulfilling their mandate to fight corruption.
“This action reflects more than just the fight against corruption.
“We will continue to keep Nigerians informed.”
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