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Enioluwa Adeniyi
Guest
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello appeared before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, following a complex negotiation between his camp and President Bola Tinubu.
According to a source who spoke with Sahara Reporters, the president aims to underscore his administration’s commitment to fighting corruption amidst growing scrutiny.
Bello, who had been declared wanted over allegations of money laundering and corruption involving a staggering ₦80.2 billion, finally honoured the EFCC’s invitation, arriving with several prominent politicians and APC stalwarts.
Sources indicate that his appearance resulted from strategic discussions to smooth the way for the former governor.
In a statement from Bello’s media office, he confirmed that he accepted the invitation after consulting with his family, legal team, and political allies, asserting that he has “nothing to hide.”
This development comes after a history of resistance from Bello, who had previously evaded multiple EFCC invitations and faced a dramatic scene at his Abuja residence.
The EFCC had even obtained a warrant for his arrest, but intervention from his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, had staved off immediate action.
Bello currently faces a 19-count alleged money laundering charge, with his trial adjourned until September 25.
The EFCC has expressed a strong desire to proceed with the prosecution, with Chairman Ola Olukoyede personally extending the invitation for interrogation.
Top sources who spoke with the platform revealed that there is currently a lot of pressure on the EFCC to release the former governor after interrogation.
Sources also told SaharaReporters that Bello had been hiding at the State House in Kogi and the state’s liaison office in Abuja.
“Yahaya Bello is still under interrogation, but the EFCC leadership is likely to release him, claiming they don’t want to detain him because of the earth tremor rocking Abuja.
“There is a lot of pressure on the agency. The Inspector General of Police is also involved and Bello’s Chief Security Officer they claimed was arrested for bungling his arrest was never detained contrary to what they told the public.
“He had hunkered down at the State House in Lokoja and stayed also at the liaison office of the Kogi State since he went into hiding. Today’s appearance was negotiated between Tinubu and Yahaya Bello’s camp,” one of the sources explained.
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