Dueling Accounts from the Governor vs. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
By Segun Onibiyo and Steven Kefas
Abuja – On the night of September 18th, 2024, operatives from Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja in an attempt to arrest former governor Yahaya Bello. In a viral video aired by Channels Television, EFCC agents were seen firing sporadically outside the Kogi State Government House in Asokoro, Abuja, in a desperate attempt to capture the former governor.
In response, Ohiare Michael, Director at Yahaya Bello’s Media Office, issued a statement titled, “Despite voluntary visit, EFCC officials surround Kogi Government Lodge, Abuja in an attempt to forcefully arrest former governor Yahaya Bello, fire gunshots.”
This incident is part of ongoing efforts by the EFCC to hold Yahaya Bello accountable for allegedly laundering ₦80 billion (about $48.8 million USD) from the Kogi State Treasury over his eight-year tenure as governor.
How Yahaya Bello Evaded Arrest
Former Governor Yahaya Bello managed to evade the EFCC’s attempts to arrest him on Wednesday, reportedly with the help of his successor, Governor Usman Ododo. The EFCC had laid siege to the Kogi State Government Lodge, aiming to arrest Bello for his involvement in an alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud case. However, Gov. Ododo leveraged his immunity as a sitting governor to assist Bello in avoiding capture. This followed a similar incident in April, where Ododo allegedly helped Bello evade the EFCC during another operation in Abuja.
Despite both Bello and Ododo visiting the EFCC headquarters earlier on Wednesday, the commission later denied having Bello in custody. EFCC officials revealed that Ododo’s actions prevented them from completing the arrest, citing his immunity as a sitting governor as the reason they could not take further action.
Failed ‘Soft Landing’ Deal for Yahaya Bello
What was initially intended as a “soft landing” deal for ex-governor Yahaya Bello to settle his conflict with the EFCC fell apart at the EFCC headquarters on Sept. 18. Governor Ododo had reportedly negotiated the deal with senior officials from the Bola Tinubu administration, under which Bello would return some of the misappropriated state funds in exchange for a plea bargain. Armed with this understanding, Ododo accompanied Bello from Lokoja to Abuja, believing the matter would be resolved peacefully.
However, upon their arrival, the EFCC leadership seemed unaware of the arrangement. EFCC Chief of Staff Michael Nzekwe informed Governor Ododo that the EFCC Chairman was not present and that the commission had not been notified of their visit. As a result, they were asked to leave the premises, but the situation quickly escalated.
The EFCC said Gov. Ododo had attempted to intimidate EFCC officials using his immunity and bypassed official protocols, including form-filling and phone checks, which are standard for any suspect’s interrogation.
Gunshots and Conflicting Reports
Both sides have offered conflicting reports on what happened. With the Yahaya Bello media team saying the EFCC operatives tried to forcibly arrest him by blocking the road and firing gunshots. The EFCC narrative says it was governor Ododo’s security team that opened fire first upon seeing the commission’s vehicles, prompting EFCC operatives to respond in kind. Amid the chaos, Bello slipped away, once again eluding capture.
As at the time of filing this report, the whereabout of Yahaya Bello, who had presented himself voluntarily to the EFCC just hours before, remains unknown, leaving the EFCC empty-handed. Amid the conflicting accounts, the former governor remains off the hook—at least for now.
The EFCC and other security agencies have an explanation to give to Nigerians on the sincerity of the fight against corruption should they fail to produce Bello before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Segun Onibiyo and Steven Kefas are conflict reporters for Truth Nigeria.
