An incident occurred recently involving the ex-governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello. As per reports, Bello attempted to visit the EFCC Commission on Wednesday, September 18. However, he was turned away as he arrived in a convoy accompanied by a current governor.
A confidential source within the commission revealed that this show of force was in direct violation of the commission’s protocol. According to the source, the EFCC’s chairman disapproved of Bello’s approach and instructed the staff not to engage with him.
The commission perceived Bello’s grand entrance as an attempt to intimidate the system and potentially introduce political influence.
Ex-Governor, Kogi State, Yahaya bello
The EFCC has strict procedures in place for individuals who are invited. These include documentation stages that Bello did not follow, possibly because of the immunity enjoyed by the accompanying governor. Bello was expected to come with his legal team, not with a sitting governor or other politically exposed individuals.
The commission was further displeased by Bello’s alleged media propaganda, which created false impressions about his relationship with the EFCC.
FMTBLOG gathered that Bello was already in EFCC’s custody. However, the commission confirmed that Bello was not in their custody and remains wanted.
It’s worth remembering that Bello had publicly stated, through his media team, that he had honoured the EFCC invitation. This was months after he was declared wanted for alleged misappropriation of state funds amounting to N80 billion.
Nevertheless, the commission categorically denied this claim, reiterating that Bello is yet to surrender himself and is still a person of interest in their ongoing investigations.
The statement reads;
‘’Upon realising that Bello came with the governor and some dignitaries, the Executive Chairman directed that no official should attend to him. His manner of coming to EFCC was a breach of our protocol. No Nigerian, no matter how highly placed, is expected to go for an invitation in a convoy of vehicles and with a sitting governor.
To the EFCC, he came with grandeur which is contrary to our procedures. There are stages of documentation that Bello skipped because he was with the governor, who has immunity.
The EFCC also did not invite the governor. So, what was the basis for accompanying Bello to our headquarters in Abuja?
We have not been comfortable with the roles of the governor in this case. After fulfilling all procedures of documentation, Bello was expected to come with his lawyer(s) and not a governor or Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).
We cannot be intimidated or subject our system to political pollution. This made the Executive Chairman of EFCC direct that no official should attend to Bello. He must undergo due process like every invitee.
The commission was unhappy with the pre-emptive media propaganda by Bello’s team, which had created false impressions.
There was a narration that the ex-governor was already in EFCC’s custody.”
