Yahaya Bello barricades self in Abuja lodge of Kogi governor, as EFCC surrounds building 

 

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have made another attempt at arresting Yahaya Bello hours after confusion over his reported visit at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency on Wednesday.

 

 

The EFCC officers reportedly barricaded the premises of the Abuja lodge of the Kogi Governor similar to its first futile attempt to arrest three ex-governor early this year.

 

 

Like in the first failed attempt to arrest Yahaya Bello, security officials attached to the lodge  have refused the EFCC officials access into the building, resulting in gunshots.

 

 

Meanwhile, the media team of Yahaya Bello, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) contradicted each other earlier on Wednesday with reports of the presence of the ex-governor at the office of anti-graft agency.

 

 

The media office of the former governor earlier in a statement claimed that Bello honoured an invitation extended to him by the EFCC.

 

 

 

 

According to his media office, the decision was made after consultations with his family, legal team and political allies, adding the details of Bello’s engagement with the operatives of the anti-graft agency would be disclosed later.

 

 

The statement signed by Ohiare Michael, Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, said: “It is our hope that the Commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

 

 

But EFCC in a statement by Dele Oyewale, its spokesman,  dismissed the claims that the former governor honoured its invitation.

 

 

The commission specifically said the former governor remains wanted for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges.

 

 

“Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect.

 

 

“The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody. Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” Oyewale said.

 

 

 

 

In response, the ex-governor’s media team released photos of him arriving at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, accompanied by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.

 

 

 

 

A statement by the Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, which provided updates on the visit of the former governor to the anti-graft agency office in Abuja said, “EFCC did not, however, interrogate him as officials told him he could leave. As we write, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office”.