Nigerian Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello’s Day in Court Assured by EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has assured Nigerians that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who has been declared wanted over alleged N80 billion fraud, will certainly have his day in court. The commission made the assurance in response to public concerns over the alleged poor handling of the case.
Bello, who has been evading arrest, reportedly visited the EFCC headquarters with a retinue of security details, but was rebuffed by the commission. According to EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, the appropriate place for Bello to surrender is before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where his legal team has undertaken to produce him to answer to the 18 counts of money laundering.
The EFCC statement read: "It is public knowledge that a former governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello, had made several unsuccessful attempts to throw spanners in his ongoing trial through… Some irresponsible and utterly rascally efforts." Bello is accused of engaging in scaremongering, claiming he was the target of a phantom assassination attempt, which the EFCC described as "preposterous."
The commission urged Bello to focus on clearing his name rather than playing the victim and crying persecution. "Yahaya Bello should be more interested in clearing his name than playing the victim and crying persecution, where none exists," the statement said.
The EFCC remains committed to ensuring that the law takes its course in the money laundering charges already filed against Bello in court. "The true test of Yahaya Bello’s willingness to abide by the law is to present himself to the court in obedience to the order of Justice Nwite," Oyewale said.
The commission reiterated its commitment to fighting corruption, despite the challenges and antics of individuals like Bello. "The EFCC is not unaware of the fact that corruption fights back. Bello must have his day in court, no matter the recourse to blackmail, appeal to emotive public sympathy, or acts of brigandage," the statement concluded.