The Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael, says former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello left the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja on Wednesday morning unquestioned.
Michael said this in a statement on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.
This is coming after the EFCC 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 anti-graft agency.
It stated: “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 N80.2 billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.”
However, Michael said the officials of the anti-graft agency did not interrogate Bello during his visit.
The former governor’s aide noted: “The EFCC did not interrogate him. The EFCC officials told him he could leave.
“We don’t know what this means yet. As we write, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office.
EFCC: Yahaya Bello remains wanted, not in our custody
“He was accompanied to the commission’s office by Governor of Kogi State, HE Alhaji Ahmed Usman.”
Michael had earlier said the former governor honoured EFCC’s invitation by making himself available at the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
He stated that Bello decided to honour the EFCC invitation after due consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies.
He said: “The former governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had, all the while, only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.
“The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. It is important for the former governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.”
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