Alleged N80.2bn Fraud: “How Yahaya Bello Escaped EFCC Arrest,” Operatives Spill

Alleged N80.2bn Fraud: “How Yahaya Bello Escaped EFCC Arrest,” Operatives Spill

  • The EFCC has claimed that Kogi state Governor Usman Ododo is interfering with the case of Yahaya Bello and the anti-graft agency
  • On Wednesday, Bello stormed the EFCC's headquarters in Abuja and his media team claimed operatives of the anti-graft agency asked him to leave
  • Operatives of the EFCC have disclosed that Ododo's actions prevented them from arresting Bello over an alleged N80.2bn fraud case

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, reportedly evaded arrest by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, September 18, with the assistance of his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.

EFCC: "Yahaya Bello escapes arrest for the second time, with the help of Governor Usman Ododo"
EFCC opens up on how Yahaya Bello escape arrest at governor's lodge. Photo credit: Alhaji Yahaya Bello, EFCC
Source: Facebook

Recall that on Wednesday night, the EFCC had laid siege to the Kogi state Government Lodge in Abuja in an attempt to apprehend Bello, who is wanted over an alleged N80.2bn fraud case.

Read also

Edo 2024: Mercy Johnson’s husband, Prince Okojie, escapes assassination in his home

Interestingly, Ododo allegedly helped Bello avoid arrest, leveraging the immunity he enjoys as a sitting governor.

The incident followed a similar attempt in April, where Ododo reportedly facilitated Bello’s escape from EFCC operatives during a raid in Abuja.

Speaking on what transpired on Wednesday night, one of the officials who pleaded anonymity told The Punch that:

“Yahaya Bello has not been arrested. The Kogi State governor prevented operatives from doing their work yesterday just like he did the other time. He took him away and our men could not do anything because of the immunity he (Ododo) is enjoying.”

As of the time of filing this report, EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, is yet to speak on the matter.

Daily Trust reported that Bello had since returned to the State Government House in Lokoja, Kogi state capital, where he had been hiding before he came to Abuja to “honour EFCC invitation”.

Read also

Nigerian governor reacts to rumours of dumping PDP for APC

The Cable also confirmed the report in its publication.

Read more about Yahaya Bello here:

Yahaya Bello: PDP chieftain backs EFCC

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Usman Okai Austin, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi state, backed the EFCC's decision to place Bello on Interpol watch.

Okai who was the PDP candidate in 2023 for the Dekina/Bassa house of representatives election, maintained that this move rekindled the hope for justice in the face of alleged wrongdoing.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Esther Odili avatar

Esther Odili (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Esther Odili is a journalist and a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng with 6+ years of experience. Before joining Legit.ng, Esther has worked with other reputable media houses, such as the New Telegraph newspaper and Galaxy Television. She Holds OND and HND in Mass Communication from NIJ, where she was recognized as the best student in print journalism in 2018. Email: esther.odili@corp.legit.ng.