Ohiare Michael, the director of the media office of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello says the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) laid siege at the Kogi Government Lodge in the Asokoro area of Abuja on Wednesday night in an attempt to arrest the ex-governor.
Michael, in a statement on Wednesday, alleged that the EFCC officers shot sporadically in the air in the bid to carry out their aim.
He stated: “It has come to our notice that people suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello.
“They have been shooting sporadically.
“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily, but the commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount an attack on the Kogi Government facility in Asokoro.
“We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him.
“Tonight’s attack was needless as the former Governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation.
Aide counters EFCC: Yahaya Bello left your office unquestioned
“The EFCC had no question to ask Alhaji Yahaya Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him.
“This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they are fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption.
“This action reflects much more than a fight against corruption. We will keep Nigerians posted.”
Michael had earlier said Bello left the EFCC office in Abuja on Wednesday morning unquestioned.
He made this known after the anti-graft agency said the former governor was not in its custody.
The EFCC noted that Bello, who is facing prosecution for offences bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion, remained wanted by the commission.
The EFCC had filed a 19-count money laundering charge against Bello before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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