Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is currently in detention at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) facilities in Abuja, following his arrest yesterday.
The EFCC had declared Bello wanted in April over allegations of embezzling N110 billion, and after months of failed attempts to apprehend him, he was finally brought in for questioning.
Bello, along with his nephews Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, was initially charged with 19 counts of money laundering involving over N80 billion. The charges were later revised, with the sum now totaling more than N110 billion. The accused allegedly used the illicit funds to acquire 12 properties in Abuja.
The former governor had tried to delay his trial by filing legal motions, including a failed attempt to block his arraignment in court. He also sought to transfer his case to Lokoja, but this was rejected. Despite these efforts, an appellate court ruled in August that he must surrender for trial.
Further attempts to arrest Bello were complicated by his successor, Usman Ododo, who allegedly facilitated his escape during a raid in April and helped him evade capture again in September. The EFCC even accused Ododo of obstructing the agency’s efforts to bring Bello to justice.
Bello’s arrest follows his failure to appear in court for multiple hearings related to new charges of criminal breach of trust. On November 14, the court issued a final summons, ordering Bello to appear by November 27 or risk being arraigned in absentia. The EFCC, having secured his detention, is now preparing to proceed with his trial.
Sources within the EFCC have confirmed that Bello is currently undergoing interrogation, and he is expected to be arraigned at the FCT High Court today, after a protracted legal battle. His case has garnered significant attention, marking a critical moment in the anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria.
