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Yahaya Bello, Where Will You Run To? — Presidency Reacts To Former Kogi Governor After Being Declared Wanted By EFCC

Published

1 year ago

19/04/2024

Yahaya Bello, Where Will You Run To? — Presidency Reacts To Former Kogi Governor After Being Declared Wanted By EFCC

The Presidential administration has issued a response to the recent actions taken by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

In a statement conveyed through Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, Bello was advised to voluntarily surrender to the authorities.

Onanuga wrote: “Yahaya Bello, where will you run to? It’s better you submit yourself to the EFCC and get a good lawyer,”.

The EFCC officially declared Bello as a wanted individual in connection with alleged economic and financial misdeeds totaling N80.2 billion.

This move was communicated through a public notice shared on the EFCC’s official Facebook page, requesting any relevant information on the ex-governor’s whereabouts.

”Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the Commission or the nearest Police Station,” the EFCC stated.

Notably, an incident occurred where Bello was removed from his residence in Abuja by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, amidst the presence of EFCC operatives who were carrying out an operation at his premises.

Subsequently, the EFCC cautioned against impeding the commission’s officials in the performance of their legal duties, emphasizing the criminal repercussions of such actions.

In a related development, the Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, reiterated the call for Bello to present himself to the EFCC.

It was hinted that failure to comply could prompt the involvement of the military by the Federal Government.

The situation surrounding the former Kogi governor’s case underscores the gravity of the allegations leveled against him and the importance of adherence to the rule of law in addressing matters of financial impropriety and corruption.