Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello agrees to honour EFCC invitation

• The Abuja Court of Appeal’s ruling on August 20 has compelled Bello to appear for an EFCC arraignment.

• The EFCC has issued an arrest warrant for Bello for repeatedly failing to comply with court orders.

• Bello, a prominent APC member, is facing 19 charges including money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of N80.2 billion, as alleged by the EFCC.

Yahaya Bello, the ex-Governor of Kogi State, has finally decided to show up for a hearing with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This comes after an Abuja Court of Appeal ruling on August 20 that ordered him to appear for his arraignment.

The EFCC had previously issued an arrest warrant for him due to his repeated failure to follow court orders. As a key figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bello is facing a slew of charges, including 19 counts related to money laundering, breach of trust, and allegedly misusing around N80.2 billion in public funds.

A statement from his media team on Wednesday revealed that his choice to respond to the EFCC’s summons was made after talks with his family, legal advisors, and political allies. The EFCC had labeled him a wanted man back in April after he ignored several invitations and resisted attempts to arrest him.

Ohiare Michael, the Director of Media at Bello’s office, clarified in a press release that Bello willingly cooperated with the anti-corruption agency.

The statement emphasized that the former governor respects the rule of law and is dedicated to aiding President Tinubu in the fight against corruption in the nation.

The statement reads, “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.”