Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello is reportedly on the run after allegedly evading arrest by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Details remain murky, but several Nigerian news outlets have published claims that Governor Bello, who left office in January 2024, narrowly avoided arrest on Wednesday morning. TheCable online newspaper reported that the incumbent governor, Usman Ododo, intervened to impede the EFCC’s operation.
This comes amidst a larger corruption case involving Bello. In March 2024, the EFCC included Bello’s name in an amended lawsuit accusing his nephew and former Chief of Staff, Alli Bello, of diverting N100 billion (US$77,100,000 using exchange rate of US$1=N1,297) in state funds. Bello was not a defendant in the original suit, but the EFCC’s amended charges suggest they may be building a case against him.
Hours after the failed operation, the ex-governor’s media office condemned the action and urged President Bola Tinubu to caution the EFCC. Bello’s media aide Onogwu Muhammed claimed the EFCC is out “to embarrass and harass the former governor by all means through spurious allegations.”
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
