The immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, left the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office in Abuja on Wednesday after responding to the agency’s invitation over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
This comes after months of tension between Bello and the EFCC, during which he had been declared wanted for failing to respond to the Commission’s summons and court appearances regarding the fraud case.
Bello, accompanied by his successor, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, arrived at the EFCC headquarters to address the allegations. In a statement released by his media office and signed by Ohiare Michael, Head of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, the former governor revealed that he was not interrogated by EFCC officials and was told he could leave.
“Earlier today, we reported the voluntary visit of former Governor of Kogi State, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to the EFCC office in response to their invitation,” the statement read. It emphasized Bello’s respect for the rule of law and his efforts to uphold due process by protecting his fundamental rights.
“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,” the statement concluded.
At the time of this report, the EFCC had not issued a response regarding Bello’s claims.
