THE cat and mouse game between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Alhaji Yahaya Bello, continues, with operatives of the anti-graft agency storming and allegedly shot at as they laid siege to the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja in the bid to arrest the wanted former governor.
Gun shots were heard in a trending video as the operatives waited outside for an opportunity to apprehend Bello, who reportedly visited the Commission’s headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday, September 18, accompanied by Governor Usman Ododo and others, to honour an earlier invitation.
The EFCC later clarified that Bello, who it had declared wanted for failing to personally appear in court to be arraigned over an N82billion fraud charge, was not in its custody and remained wanted, fuelling speculation over why the operatives failed to take him in for questioning when he reported to them.
Director in his media office, Ohiare Michael, alleged in a statement in Abuja, that EFCC operatives on Wednesday night laid siege at the Kogi Government Lodge in Asokoro in an attempt to arrest the ex-governor, shooting sporadically in the air in the bid to carry out their aim.
The statement read: “It has come to our notice that people suspected to be operatives of the EFCC are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro, in an attempt to forcefully arrest Bello. They have been shooting sporadically.
“It was reported earlier that the former governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily, but the Commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount an attack on the Kogi Government facility in Asokoro.
“We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him. Tonight’s attack was needless, as the former governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation.
“The EFCC had no question to ask Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him.
“This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they are fighting political battles, instead of the mandate to fight corruption.
“This action reflects much more than a fight against corruption. We will keep Nigerians posted.”
Recall that EFCC had filed a 19-count money laundering charge against Bello before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja, but the former governor has been evasive, until the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, ordered him to appear in court to be arraigned before filling any further case in court.
