Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello is currently being held at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Abuja, following a dramatic midnight arrest.
Sources within the Commission have revealed that Bello’s arrest was not a voluntary surrender, as initially claimed.
Instead, EFCC operatives trailed and apprehended him in Lokoja at midnight.
A source familiar with the development disclosed that “former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is currently at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, having been arrested in Lokoja by operatives who trailed and apprehended him at midnight.”
Earlier, a statement from Ohiare Michael, Director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, suggested that Bello had willingly honored the EFCC’s invitation.
According to Michael, Bello’s decision came after consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies.
Michael emphasized that Bello has “great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority” and had sought to ensure due process, as the case is already before a competent court. Bello’s legal team has been representing him at every hearing.
The former Governor, according to Michael, supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and its fight against corruption. Bello claims to have pioneered anti-corruption mechanisms in Kogi State to check graft and ensure resource allocation for the people.
Bello was accompanied to the EFCC headquarters by prominent Nigerians. His
media office hopes that the Commission will handle the matter professionally and respect his fundamental rights as a Nigerian citizen.
Further details of Bello’s engagement with EFCC operatives are expected to be disclosed later, shedding more light on the circumstances surrounding his arrest and the ongoing investigation.
