Former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello Surrenders to EFCC

Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi State, has finally honored the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This comes as he faces a staggering 19-count indictment involving alleged money laundering amounting to over N80 billion (approximately $105 million).

Bello’s engagement with the EFCC marks a pivotal moment in a protracted legal saga that has captured national attention. On April 23, 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, ordered that Bello be served his charges through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad (SAN), after he failed to appear before the court on multiple occasions.

The charges against Bello, alongside his associates Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, stem from allegations that they misappropriated public funds during Bello’s tenure as governor. The EFCC has characterized these actions as part of a broader effort to combat financial crimes in Nigeria, a country grappling with corruption at various levels of governance.

In a statement dated September 18, 2024, made available to Time Africa, Bello confirmed his compliance with the EFCC’s request. He emphasized that his decision was reached after thorough consultations with family, legal advisors, and political associates.

The statement of Bello’s surrender to EFCC is reproduced below:

“Former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alh 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 in order 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. It is our 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.”

This latest development has reignited discussions on the efficacy of the EFCC in tackling corruption, a critical issue for Nigeria as it seeks to restore public trust in its institutions. The outcome of Bello’s case could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, especially as the nation approaches critical elections.

As the situation unfolds, observers will be keenly watching how the EFCC pursues its case against Bello and his co-defendants, and whether this high-profile prosecution will result in significant legal repercussions or merely serve as another chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing struggle against corruption.