Yahaya Bello, who is the former governor of Kogi State, has denied being a fugitive and stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has never invited him for questioning. According to Bello’s media officer, Ohiare Michael, EFCC declared him wanted without inviting him for questioning. Bello has challenged EFCC to provide evidence of the invitation sent to him after he left office. Michael has released a statement saying that Bello is not afraid of EFCC and that all he demands is that the rule of law be respected. The statement also demands that EFCC publish a copy of the invitation delivered to Yahaya Bello and tell Nigerians the date the alleged invitation was delivered and who it was delivered to. The EFCC has accused Bello of involvement in the laundering of N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi State Government. On April 17, EFCC operatives laid siege to Bello’s Abuja residence in a bid to arrest him. Usman Ododo, Governor of Kogi, arrived at the scene while the operatives were at Bello’s residence. Shortly after Ododo left the residence, the EFCC operatives ended their siege. Bello was believed to have been rescued from his residence by Ododo. Amid the drama, the Kogi High Court issued a restraining order to the commission from “harassing, threatening to arrest or detaining” Bello. On the same day, the EFCC obtained a warrant of arrest against Bello from a Federal High Court in Abuja. Subsequently, Bello’s whereabouts became unknown, hence he was declared wanted by the anti-graft agency and placed on a watchlist.
“I was never invited, not running or afraid” – Yahaya Bello replies EFCC Chairman
