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Richard Ogunsile
Guest
The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has finally agreed to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
It could be recalled that on August 20, the court of appeal in Abuja ordered Bello to surrender himself for arraignment by the EFCC.
The EFCC subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest, declaring him wanted after repeatedly failing to comply with court orders to surrender himself for arraignment.
Bello, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is currently facing a multitude of charges, including 19 counts, which include allegations of money laundering, breach of trust, and the misappropriation of public funds amounting to approximately N80.2 billion, as alleged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement issued on Wednesday (today) by his media office, it was revealed that Bello’s decision to honour EFCC’s invitation was made after consultations with his family, legal team and political allies.
In April, the EFCC had declared him wanted after he reportedly shunned a series of invitations and resisted arrest.
I Have Nothing To Hide – Says Yahaya Bello
In a statement dated September 18, 2024, which was entitled “FORMER GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO HONOURS EFCC’S INVITATION,” Bello said he has nothing to hide or fear.
The embattled former Governor insisted that he has great respect for constituted authority.
The statement of Bello’s surrender to EFCC reads: “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.”
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