EFCC declares Yahaya Bello wanted

YAHAYA Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi State, has been declared wanted by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to the anti-graft agency on Thursday, Bello is wanted “for offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2bn.”

Recall that the EFCC on Wednesday stormed the Abuja residence of Bello for his arrest.

Bello, however, escaped arrest allegedly aided by Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, whose election was aided by Bello. Ododo was said to have stormed Bello’s Abuja residence with gunswielding security personnel and prevented Bello’s arrest by the EFCC operatives who had laid siege to the residence.

In reaction on to the development, the EFCC warned members of the public that it was a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

“Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the commission from carrying out their lawful duties. Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“This warning becomes necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC,” a release by Dele Oyewale, the agency’s head of media and publicity, noted.

The anti-graft agency has, however, urged anyone with information on Bello’s whereabouts to report to the commission or the nearest police station.