The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday declared the former governor of Kogi State, Mr Yahaya Bello wanted in connection with alleged laundering of N80.2 billion.
Bello, it was gathered, had gone into hiding following Wednesday’s botched attempt by the EFCC to arrest him.
The EFCC said in a statement that Bello was wanted in connection with alleged case of money laundering.
In the notice of declaration, the EFCC stated: “The public is hereby notified that Yahaya Adoza Bello (former Governor of Kogi State), whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with alleged case of Money Laundering to the tune of N80,246,470.089.88.
“Bello, 48-year old Ebiraman is a native of Okenne Local Government of Kogi State. His last known address is: 9, Benghazi Street. Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Enugu, Kano, Lagos. Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja offices of through these numbers 09-9044751-3, 08093322644, 08183322644, 07026350721-3, 0706350724-5; its e-mail address: info@efccnigeria.org of the nearest Police Station and other security agencies,” it said.
Recall that the EFCC operatives had laid siege to Bello’s Zone 4, Abuja residence, in a bid to arrest him but clashed with the security personnel guarding Bello’s successor, Mr Usman Ododo, who went to visit his predecessor at the height of the arrest drama.
Meanwhile, the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, has warned Bello to turn himself in as he (Bello) cannot run from the long arm of the law.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Fagbemi advised the former Kogi State helmsman to toe the path of decency by honouring the EFCC invitation.
“The bizarre drama confronting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the course of its efforts to perform its statutory duty has come to my notice (Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) as a matter of very grave concern.
“It is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigation into any matter regardless of status.
“Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC but to honourably answer their invitation,” Fagbemi said.
He lamented that a situation, where public officials, who themselves were subject of protection by law enforcement agents set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty, is to say the least, insufferably disquieting.
He stressed that a taking flight from the law would not resolve issues at stake but would only exacerbate it.
“I state unequivocally that I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC and indeed any other agency to order when there is indication of any transgression of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies.
“But I also tenaciously hold the view that institutions of state should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently. Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone, who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.
“I, therefore, encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world,” he added.
