The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has requested all security agencies to place former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on their watch list to prevent him from leaving the country through any land, air, or sea borders. The Nigeria Immigration Service, acting on this directive, has circulated an internal circular instructing its area and zonal commands to arrest Bello if seen, citing ongoing investigations and a suspicion that he might attempt to leave the country to evade them.
The EFCC had earlier declared Bello wanted for an alleged financial crime amounting to N80.2 billion. In a bulletin, the commission urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to report to them or the nearest police station.
The Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned Bello’s case to April 23 after his planned arraignment was stalled due to his absence in court on Thursday. The EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, expressed frustration at Bello’s absence, alleging that he was being protected by someone with immunity, who whisked him away in an official vehicle to prevent his arrest on Wednesday.
Pinheiro mentioned that the agency might seek the help of the military to locate Bello and arraign him. Bello’s lawyer argued that his client had obtained an ex parte order from a High Court, restraining the EFCC from arresting and prosecuting him. However, the agency had appealed against this order at the Court of Appeal.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the EFCC permission to arrest Bello. Despite this, the EFCC encountered resistance when attempting to execute the warrant of arrest against him.
In a statement issued by its Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC announced that Bello, along with three other suspects, including his cousin Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, would be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80,246,470,088.88.
The EFCC’s attempt to arrest Bello was met with resistance on Wednesday when the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, allegedly helped Bello evade arrest by spiriting him away in his official vehicle. Despite this, the EFCC stated its determination to bring Bello to justice as soon as possible.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has requested all security agencies to place former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on their watch list to prevent him from leaving the country through any land, air, or sea borders.
The Nigeria Immigration Service, acting on this directive, has circulated an internal circular instructing its area and zonal commands to arrest Bello if seen, citing ongoing investigations and a suspicion that he might attempt to leave the country to evade them.
The EFCC had earlier declared Bello wanted for an alleged financial crime amounting to N80.2 billion. In a bulletin, the commission urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to report to them or the nearest police station.
The Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned Bello’s case to April 23 after his planned arraignment was stalled due to his absence in court on Thursday.
The EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, expressed frustration at Bello’s absence, alleging that he was being protected by someone with immunity, who whisked him away in an official vehicle to prevent his arrest on Wednesday.
Pinheiro mentioned that the agency might seek the help of the military to locate Bello and arraign him. Bello’s lawyer argued that his client had obtained an ex parte order from a High Court, restraining the EFCC from arresting and prosecuting him. However, the agency had appealed against this order at the Court of Appeal.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the EFCC permission to arrest Bello. Despite this, the EFCC encountered resistance when attempting to execute the warrant of arrest against him.
In a statement issued by its Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC announced that Bello, along with three other suspects, including his cousin Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, would be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80,246,470,088.88.
The EFCC’s attempt to arrest Bello was met with resistance on Wednesday when the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, allegedly helped Bello evade arrest by spiriting him away in his official vehicle. Despite this, the EFCC stated its determination to bring Bello to justice as soon as possible.
