Alleged N110bn Fraud: EFCC confirms Yahaya Bello’s detention ahead of scheduled arraignment

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest and detention of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, in an exclusive telephone interview with our reporter Tuesday evening, said “He’s currently being grilled by our investors.”

Mr Oyewale said Mr Bello “will be detained and arraigned in court as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, a judge, Maryanne Anenih of the FCT High Court, Abuja, where Mr Bello was charged with diversion of N110 billion in Kogi State’s funds, had on 14 November fixed 27 November (Wednesday), for the former governor’s arraignment.

Mr Bello has shunned a raft of court summons to face corruption charges at not just the FCT High Court, but also at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he stands accused of money laundering involving N80 billion.

He surrendered himself to the EFCC in Abuja on Tuesday.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that he arrived at the EFCC headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, with his private security details at about 1 p.m.

EFCC sources confirmed to our reporter that Mt Bello’s successor, Governor Usman Ododo, did not accompany him as he did earlier in September when Mr Bello made a controversial surrender to the commission in Abuja.

On 18 September, Mr Bello, accompanied by Mr Ododo, went to EFCC to make a dramatic, controversial attempt to surrender himself to the anti-graft agency..

READ ALSO: Corruption Trial: Yahaya Bello surrenders self to EFCC

The EFCC refused to arrest Mr Bello and instead attempted, on the same day, to apprehend him at the Kogi State Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, where he was being sheltered by Governor Ododo.

The encounter resulted in hours-long shootout following a confrontation that reportedly ensued between EFCC operatives and the governor’s security details.

Mr Bello escaped from the scene in Mr Ododo’s convoy amid the chaos that erupted.

Mr Bello is facing money laundering charges involving N80 billion in Kogi State funds at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

He has shunned a series of court summons to appear for arraignment since April.

In late September, the EFCC filed fresh corruption charges against Mr Bello at the FCT High Court.

EFCC accuses Mr Bello in the latest case of dishonestly diverting more than N110 billion from the Kogi State Government’s treasury while he was governor for eight years.