Fatshimetrie – N80.2 billion money laundering scandal takes dramatic turn as Bello vs EFCC standoff intensifies
By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA – Gunshots rang out on Wednesday night as operatives of the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC) stormed the Kogi State Governor’s residence in Asokoro, Abuja, in a bid to arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello.
The EFCC had declared Bello wanted for alleged money laundering of N80.2 billion. The commission took the decision after filing a 19-count charge sheet against him.
The aborted arrest was, however, met with resistance from security operatives stationed at the residence, leading to a standoff. The situation later returned to normal, with restricted movement in the area.
Sources say Bello later left the residence with Ododo amid uncertainty over his current whereabouts.
Bello’s media office, in a statement by Director Ohiare Michael, condemned the abortive arrest as unnecessary and akin to Gestapo practices, arguing that Bello had cooperated with the commission by presenting himself voluntarily.
Michael’s statement stressed that the EFCC should be held responsible if anything untoward happened to Bello.
The statement said: “We have learnt that some individuals suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Commission are currently near the Kogi State Government House, Asokoro, with the aim of forcibly arresting former Governor Yahaya Bello. They have been shooting sporadically.
“They are currently near the Kogi State Government House, Asokoro, with the aim of forcibly arresting former Governor Yahaya Bello.
“It was earlier reported that the former governor surrendered himself to the EFCC office earlier today but the Commission asked him to leave and return later, only to launch a Gestapo-style attack on the Kogi State Government premises in Asokoro.
“Tonight’s (Wednesday night) attack was unnecessary because the former governor had made himself available to the EFCC at their premises for questioning. In the morning, the EFCC had no questions to ask Alh. Yahaya Bello but suddenly, they came out to arrest him.
“This action is to be condemned. They have shown why many Nigerians think they are fighting political battles rather than fulfilling their mandate of fighting corruption. This action reflects much more than fighting corruption.
“We wish to stress that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to it.”
Recall that earlier, Bello had voluntarily surrendered to the EFCC headquarters, accompanied by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo. However, he was instructed to leave and return later.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for comment as at the time of writing this report.