The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello months after evading the anti-graft agency.
Bello is wanted to answer allegations of money laundering and embezzlement totalling ₦80.2 billion. EFCC spokeswoman Dele Oyewale confirmed his detention.
“We have arrested him. Our chief security officer arrested him, and he was brought in at 12:54 pm. He is currently undergoing interrogation and remains in our custody,” Mr Oyewale proclaimed.
Bello’s protégé and current Kogi Governor Usman Ododo, who has reportedly helped to shield Bello from arrest, appeared to have brought Bello this time and invited EFCC agents to apprehend him.
After previous failed attempts to arrest Mr Bello, the EFCC was compelled to list him as a wanted man in April. Although, in fairness to him, he walked into the EFCC office in September alongside Governor Ododo, the agency strangely let him go without questioning him, let alone detaining him.
The EFCC alleges that Mr Bello withdrew $720,000 from public funds to prepay his children’s tuition fees abroad. This alleged withdrawal occurred while he was governor of the confluent state between 2015 and 2023.
The EFCC has charged Bello with 19 counts, mostly related to money laundering. His repeated absences from court have postponed his arraignment. The commission claims Bello has sought refuge in the Kogi State government’s “protective custody” since being listed.
The court’s August ruling affirmed the EFCC’s stance that Bello must face the charges. Now that his arrest has been confirmed, the case is expected to proceed to trial.
Yet, in the history of Nigeria’s fourth republic since 1999, only three governors have ever been sent to jail despite the EFCC’s theatrics. All three were later pardoned and released.
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