The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced that former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted for alleged N80.2 billion fraud charges related to money laundering.
The EFCC made this declaration on its official Facebook page after court proceedings on Thursday, April 18.
According to the statement released by the EFCC, “Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCC for offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 billion.
Anybody with information on his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”
Operatives of the EFCC had attempted to arrest Bello at his Abuja residence in Wuse on Wednesday, but were unsuccessful as the current Kogi Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, assisted Bello in leaving the premises in a private vehicle.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned Bello’s money laundering case to April 23 through substituted means, after the EFCC failed to produce him in court.
Following the EFCC’s declaration, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, urged Yahaya Bello to surrender to the EFCC to facilitate investigations.
Fagbemi emphasized that law enforcement agencies have the authority to summon individuals for investigation, and urged cooperation rather than obstruction.