Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, his media office confirmed on Wednesday.
A statement signed by the Director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, Michael Ohiare made the development known on Wednesday.
Ohiare revealed that Bello’s decision to appear before the anti-graft agency comes after consultations with his family, legal team, and political associates.
Bello was said to have been accompanied to the EFCC headquarters by several high-profile Nigerians.
The former Kogi governor has been in a running battle with the anti-graft agency over alleged financial impropriety while he was the number one citizen of Kogi.
He and three others are facing 19 counts related to money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion.
However, the Wednesday statement from his media office disclosed that the former governor personally engaged with the EFCC to clear his name.
It further noted that he had previously pursued the enforcement of his fundamental rights to ensure due process in the ongoing investigation.
Read The Full Statement
FORMER GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO HONOURS EFCC’S INVITATION
Former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alh Yahaya Bello today, honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
This decision was made after due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies.
The former Governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had, all the while, only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.
The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. It is important for the former Governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.
The former Governor believes firmly in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development; and supports the fight against corruption in the country.
It is on record that he was the first Governor of Kogi State to put in place an anti-corruption mechanism to check graft and ensure that the resources of the State work for the people of the State.
He was accompanied to the EFCC Headquarters by high profile Nigerians.
It is our hope that the Commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.
In April, 2024, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, had vowed to resign if the embattled former governor is not prosecuted.
Mr. Olukoyede swore to follow the prosecution of Mr Bello to the logical conclusion. He also vowed that all those who obstructed the arrest of the former governor would be brought to justice.
