Alleged N80bn fraud: Controversy trails Yahaya Bello’s appearance at EFCC

Controversy trialed the purported appearance of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday with the two parties giving conflicting details on the matter.

The former governor’s media aide had in a statement claimed that he walked into the commission’s office in Abuja and left the building unquestioned.

But the EFCC on its part insisted that Bello remains a wanted person for alleged corruption.

The commission had declared the ex-governor wanted for alleged N80 billion fraud.

The EFCC filed a 19-count charge of money laundering and fraud against the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and three other persons at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

A statement issued by the Director in Bello’s Media Office, Mr. Ohiare Michael, said officials EFCC officials did not question the former governor during his visit to the commission’s office on Wednesday morning.

The statement read: “The EFCC did not interrogate him. He was told that he could leave by officials of the commission.

“We don’t know what this means yet.

“He was accompanied to the commission’s office by Gov. Usman Ododo.”

READ ALSO: EFCC says Yahaya Bello’s camp lied, claims ex-gov did not visit its office

The director had earlier said Bello decided to honour the EFCC invitation after due consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies.

He added that the former governor who had great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had, all the while, only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights to ensure due process.

However, in a statement issued the same day, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said Bello is not in its custody contrary to the claim by the ex-governor’s supporters.

He said: “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.”

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