The longstanding face-off between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as both sides engaged in a war of words over whether Bello had honored an invitation from the anti-graft agency. While the ex-governor's media team claimed that he complied with the EFCC's invitation, the commission denied these assertions, creating a public spectacle.
In a press release issued by his Director of Media, Ohiare Michael, Yahaya Bello’s camp announced that the former governor had honored the EFCC’s invitation following consultations with his family, legal team, and political associates. The statement highlighted that Bello, a man who holds a deep respect for the rule of law, had previously delayed honoring the invitation to first seek the enforcement of his fundamental rights, ensuring due process was followed.
The media team emphasized that Bello had nothing to hide and nothing to fear and that his legal team had represented him in court during previous hearings. According to them, his decision to engage with the EFCC was in line with his respect for the rule of law and to clear his name of any allegations. They also reiterated his belief in President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption efforts and added that Bello had been the first Kogi governor to create an anti-corruption mechanism in the state.
Accompanied by high-profile Nigerians, Bello reportedly appeared at the EFCC’s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. His team expressed hope that the commission would act with professionalism and respect the former governor's fundamental rights as a Nigerian citizen.
However, in a swift response, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale refuted the claim that Bello had appeared before the commission, stating that the ex-governor was still wanted in connection with an N80.2 billion money laundering investigation. Oyewale clarified that contrary to media reports, Bello was not in EFCC custody.
The back-and-forth didn’t end there. Yahaya Bello’s media office quickly issued another statement maintaining that Bello had indeed visited the EFCC, accompanied by the current Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo. According to Ohiare Michael, Bello was not interrogated by the commission’s officials and was allowed to leave without any concrete actions being taken, leaving his team in a state of uncertainty.
A member of Bello’s legal team, speaking anonymously, confirmed to the Nigerian Tribune that the former governor had visited the EFCC, but declined to provide additional details. An insider at the EFCC also noted that Bello was seen at the commission's premises on Wednesday.
This unfolding drama between the EFCC and Yahaya Bello has left Nigerians guessing about the true nature of the ex-governor’s legal troubles and the next steps in what has become a high-profile saga of political intrigue.