Yahaya Bello: EFCC declare former Governor wanted, AGF urges Bello to toe path of decency

The suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, for alleged money laundering amounting to N84billion could not be heard yesterday at the Federal High Court Abuja because of the absence of defendant, Yahaya Bello.

The presiding Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite has thus adjoined the case to April 23, for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84bn money laundering.

The Counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that Bello was absent from court for his to face trial he was being protected by someone with immunity, adding Bello was ferried out of his residence in Abuja by the same highly placed individual that enjoys immunity.

However, counsel to Bello, Abdulwahab Muhammad, informed the court that there is an order from the Kogi State High Court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor, given on February 9. Adding that though EFCC has appealed the ruling, the Court of Appeals was yet to decide on the matter

Although Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish Bello out to come face his arraignment, Mohammad pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.

Disagreeing with the submission of counsel to Bello, the EFCC counsel said that the ruling in the substantive matter on the suit was delivered on March 17, by the Kogi State High Court.

He cleared the air that the court in its ruling held that for the former governor to be arrested or arraigned, the EFCC must first seek leave from the court to do so.

He said it was in line with that judgment that the EFCC, through an ex parte application, filed for the order seeking the arrest of the former governor which was granted by the court.

Counsel for Yahaya Bello, however, insisted before the court that the order for the ex-governor’s arrest was made out of jurisdiction. He said the former governor is not a fugitive, but relying on the order of the Kogi State High Court to take protection.

The EFCC which had earlier threatened to involve the military in ensuring that Bello appears in court to face trial has further warned to move against any individual obstructing it’s officials from performing their official duties, saying the agency would no longer take such matters lying low, as it has the backing of the law to prosecute anyone involved in such acts henceforth.

…Yahaya Bello declared wanted by EFCC over financial crimes

His absence in court led the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to declare the former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, wanted over alleged N80 billion offences relating to economic and financial crimes.

The EFCC announcement declaring Bello wanted was contained in a notice posted on the commission’s official Facebook page on Thursday, April 18.

The notice reads: “Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCC for offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”