In a dramatic turn of events, armed operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) descended on the Abuja home of former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, situated in Wuse Zone 4 of the Federal Capital Territory.
The motive behind the siege remained unclear, as the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, did not respond to inquiries regarding the development.
This action comes in the wake of an amended charge filed by the EFCC in March 2024, implicating Yahaya Bello, along with his nephew Ali, Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, in an alleged N84 billion money laundering scheme.
In response to the siege, Bello’s media office issued a statement condemning the EFCC’s actions, urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene and caution the anti-graft agency.
The statement highlighted that the presence of EFCC operatives at Bello’s residence violated a court injunction issued by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division, which restrained the commission from harassing or prosecuting him pending the determination of a fundamental rights enforcement action.
Furthermore, the media office alleged that the EFCC’s pursuit was politically motivated, aimed at tarnishing Bello’s image through baseless allegations, including those dating back to September 2015.
In the amended charge, the EFCC accused Yahaya Bello of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds totaling N84,062,406,089.88. The commission also stated that the former governor was currently at large.
The report also revealed that Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello, had been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged money laundering involving N10 billion belonging to the Kogi State Government.
However, the Kogi State Government denounced the charges as ludicrous, asserting that Bello could not have accessed state funds at the time mentioned.
Count one of the charges filed by the EFCC alleges that Bello, along with others, conspired to convert a substantial sum of money, believed to be proceeds of criminal activities, thereby violating the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
