Contrary to claims made by his media office, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is not in their custody and remains wanted.
The EFCC said this in a press statement released on Wednesday signed by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.
The statement read, “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 N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.”
However, this came after the media office of Yahaya Bello announced that Yahaya Bello had left the premises of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a few hours after he surrendered himself.
A statement from Yahaya Bello Media Office, signed by Ohiare Michael, said the EFCC did not, however, interrogate him as officials told him he could leave.
The statement read, “Earlier today, we reported the voluntary visit of former Governor of Kogi State, HE Alh. Yahaya Bello to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office to honour the Commission’s invitation.
“In the statement, we reiterated the former Governor’s great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, and stressed that, all the while, he only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.
“The EFCC did not, however, interrogate him as officials told him he could leave. We don’t know what this means yet. As we write, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office. He was accompanied there by the Governor of Kogi State, HE Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.”
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi