Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have erected a blockade around the home of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, located in Wuse, Abuja. This development, as reported by SaharaReporters, follows closely after the ex-governor’s recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House.
ChroniclesReporters has learned that there is currently no movement in and around Bello’s residence on Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, in the nation’s capital. A source shared photographs illustrating the EFCC’s blockade, which has effectively restricted access to the property.
While the motive behind the EFCC’s actions remains undisclosed, it is speculated to be connected to the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding allegations of financial misconduct against Bello. The EFCC has accused the former governor of diverting N80 billion in state funds in September 2015, just four months before assuming office, with charges totaling N84 billion.
Previously, the EFCC arraigned Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of money laundering amounting to N10 billion, allegedly belonging to the State government. However, the State Government has vehemently refuted these accusations, dismissing them as “ridiculous” and “laughable,” asserting that Bello was not yet in a position to access or misappropriate state funds at the time in question.
In a statement dated February 7, 2024, the state government, through Commissioner for Information and Communications Kingsley Fanwo, criticized the EFCC, accusing it of being “infested with persons whose intents disagree with the noble intention of ‘Mr. President’ to defeat corruption in Nigeria.”
SaharaReporters previously reported that the EFCC had brought charges against former Governor Yahaya Bello before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, for alleged N84 billion money laundering. The EFCC, along with co-accused Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, is pursuing an amended 17-count charge of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds totaling N84,062,406,089.88.
While former Governor Yahaya Bello and Hudu remain at large, Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman, the first and second defendants, respectively, pleaded not guilty to all charges during court proceedings.