Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, remains a fugitive 107 days after being declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that Bello “remains wanted until he is arrested.”
The EFCC declared Bello wanted on April 18, 2024, in connection with alleged money laundering totaling N80,246,470,089.88. The day before, an attempt by the EFCC to arrest Bello at his Abuja residence was thwarted by armed men and police. Usman Ododo, the current governor of Kogi State, intervened and escorted Bello from the scene.
Despite a warrant issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja for Bello’s arrest on 19 counts of money laundering, the EFCC has been unable to detain him, delaying his arraignment. Austin Okai, a PDP candidate, claimed on June 21 that Bello was hiding in the Government House in Lokoja, contradicting reports that he had fled the country. The EFCC’s manhunt continues, but Bello has yet to surrender.
Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, criticized the EFCC’s efforts, stating, “It is surprising that despite all the hot waves and drama of the EFCC, including the vow of the chairman that he would resign if he couldnāt arrest Yahaya Bello, the man is still out there more than three months after he was declared wanted. If they truly wanted to arrest Yahaya Bello, they would have arrested him. If this was a case of a poor man, they would have easily arrested him.”
However, Dele Oyewale dismissed allegations of compromise, insisting Bello remains wanted. “If an anti-corruption agency declares a suspect wanted, all over the world, he remains wanted until he is arrested,” Oyewale said. “Judicial processes are ongoing.”