Former Lagos State Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni has expressed concern over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) approach to the case involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. He characterized the recent events as indicative of institutional failures.
Bello was previously declared wanted due to accusations of money laundering and corruption amounting to N80.2 billion. He eventually responded to the EFCC’s summons, appearing alongside Kogi Governor Usman Ododo and other officials. However, he was told to leave shortly after arriving.
Following his departure, EFCC operatives attempted to apprehend him at the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja. The agency is pursuing Bello for alleged criminal diversion and laundering of N80,246,470,089.88 during his tenure as governor.
Reports indicate that the EFCC has filed 19 criminal charges against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja, focusing on allegations of criminal breach of trust and money laundering. The case, with the reference number FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024, was filed on March 9, 2024, with the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant.
The EFCC’s charges allege that Bello unlawfully appropriated N80,246,470,089.88 from Kogi State’s funds in February 2016, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2011. Additionally, he is accused of using associates, including Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, to launder N950 million in criminal proceeds for real estate purchases in Abuja.
In an interview with The Guardian, Owoseni criticized the EFCC for its dramatic handling of the situation. He urged the agency to respect public sentiment and noted the lack of collaboration between law enforcement bodies in Nigeria.
“They seem unprepared to arrest Bello,” he stated. “The EFCC’s theatrics are concerning, reflecting a broader failure of our security institutions. There’s a notable absence of inter-agency cooperation, despite frequent claims otherwise.”
Owoseni emphasized the need for the EFCC to improve its operations, warning that even if Bello were arrested, there’s a tendency for high-profile individuals to negotiate their way out of legal troubles and maintain influence in politics.
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