Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) agents have conducted a raid on the Abuja residence of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, situated in Wuse Zone 4, Federal Capital Territory.
Images obtained by our reporter show armed EFCC personnel surrounding the ex-governor’s property on Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
At the time of reporting, the motive behind the operation at Bello’s residence remained unconfirmed as EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale did not respond to inquiries.
However, in March 2024, the EFCC filed an amended charge against Yahaya Bello, his nephew Ali, Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, alleging an N84 billion money laundering scheme.
In response, Bello’s media office issued a statement condemning the EFCC’s actions, urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene. The statement highlighted a court injunction issued on February 9, 2024, restraining the EFCC from harassing, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting Bello pending the determination of a fundamental rights enforcement action.
The media office claimed that the EFCC’s presence at Bello’s residence violated the court order, despite the agency being served with it on February 12, 2024. The statement alleged that the EFCC’s actions disregarded the rule of law and suggested political motives behind the agency’s behavior.
Furthermore, Bello’s media office accused the EFCC of attempting to tarnish his reputation with baseless allegations, particularly those dating back to September 2015, before he assumed office as governor.
The EFCC’s amended charge accused Bello and others of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds totaling N84,062,406,089.88.
Earlier, the EFCC had arraigned Ali Bello, the former governor’s nephew, before the Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged money laundering involving N10 billion belonging to the Kogi State Government.
However, the Kogi State Government denounced the charges as “ridiculous” and “laughable,” arguing that Bello could not have misappropriated state funds before assuming office.
The state government criticized the EFCC, accusing it of deviating from President Buhari’s anti-corruption agenda.
The EFCC’s charges allege a conspiracy to convert funds obtained through unlawful activities, with Bello and others indicted. While Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman pleaded not guilty to the charges, Yahaya Bello and Abdulsalam Hudu remain at large.
