The former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is currently held at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Abuja following a midnight sting operation that led to his arrest.
Sources at the EFCC confirmed to Vanguard that Bello, who had previously asserted that he voluntarily honoured the commission’s invitation, was trailed and apprehended by operatives while in Lokoja at midnight.
The arrest comes on the heels of previous claims by Bello that he was cooperating with the EFCC, raising questions about the circumstances leading to his detention.
The source said, “Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is currently at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja. He was arrested in Lokoja, with operatives trailing and apprehending him at midnight.”
Earlier, a press release from the Yahaya Bello Media Office Director, Ohiare Michael, stated that Bello had honoured the EFCC’s invitation.
Ohiare stated, “Former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, today honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
“This decision was made after due consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies.
“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 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.
“The former Governor believes firmly in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development and supports the fight against corruption in the country.
“It is on record that he was the first Governor of Kogi State to put in place an anti-corruption mechanism to check graft and ensure that the resources of the State work for the people of the State.
“He was accompanied to the EFCC Headquarters by high-profile Nigerians.
“We hope that the Commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Details of his engagement with the operatives of the Anti-Graft Agency will be disclosed later.”
Related Story: