The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has concluded plans to arraign a former Governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, on Thursday, before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The arraignment comes on the heels of a failed attempt by EFCC operatives to arrest the former governor at his Abuja residence on Wednesday amidst claims by Bello that the attempt was against an existing court order restraining the commission from arresting him.
A press release by the Commission’s Spokesman, Dele Oyewale, late on Wednesday said the former governor would be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite alongside three others: Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246,470, 088.88.
The commission disclosed that it had obtained a warrant of arrest and enrolment order from a court of competent jurisdiction on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
According to Oyewale, “The Commission’s attempt to execute the Warrant of Arrest lawfully obtained against Bello met stiff resistance on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
“The security cordon around the former governor’s residence in Abuja was breached by the current Governor of Kogi state, Usman Ododo, who ensured that the suspect was spirited away in his official vehicle.
“As a responsible law enforcement agency, the EFCC exercised restraint in the face of the provocation, waiting for his arraignment on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
“It is needful to state that Bello is not above the law and would be brought to justice as soon as possible.”
