A FORMER Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has denied being a fugitive, insisting that contrary to claims by Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, he had never been invited for questioning.
Speaking through his media officer, Ohiare Michael, the former governor said EFCC declared him wanted without inviting him for questioning, challenging the anti-graft agency to provide evidence of the invitation sent to him after he left office.
The statement read: “Let it be known to all that Alhaji Yahaya Bello is not afraid of the EFCC; he is not a fugitive running from the law. All he demands is that the rule of law be respected.
“The EFCC stated that they invited Alhaji Yahaya Bello immediately after his tenure ended on the 27th of January 2024, we challenge the EFCC to publish a copy of the invitation delivered to Yahaya Bello.
“They should also tell Nigerians the date the alleged invitation was delivered and who it was delivered to. We are certain that the EFCC will not be able to produce any of the foregoing, as to date, they have yet to invite Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
“Indeed, just about the end of his administration, several online news sites published that the EFCC would arrest the governor as soon as he handed over power to his successor, as they intended to charge him for alleged crimes committed as governor of Kogi State.”
Recall that the EFCC accused Bello of involvement in the laundering of N80.2billion belonging to the Kogi State Government.
