The Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, on Wedneday, foiled an attempt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to arrest the immediate-past governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, at his 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja residence.
The operatives of the anti-graft agency had stormed the street around 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday and laid siege to the former governor’s residence, preventing both human and vehicular movements.
The EFCC operatives were, however, resisted by armed policemen dressed in black, with the inscription ‘Special Forces.
Our correspondent, who visited the residence on Wednesday afternoon, observed the heavy presence of armed operatives of the EFCC, policemen, operatives of the Department of State Services, Counter Terrorism Unit and Yahaya Bello’s private security team.
The stalemate continued as the EFCC operatives were prevented by the policemen and other armed men guarding the former governor from entering the house.
At exactly 2.30 p.m., the convoy of the Kogi State governor, Ododo, arrived at the residence, alongside several security operatives and youth supporters.
Governor Ododo was ushered into the residence by his security details and around 4:20 p.m., the convoy left the residence with Bello inside the governor’s car.
About 10 minutes after the governor and the former governor had left, the EFCC operatives laying siege to the residence were seen retreating to Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, while the DSS operatives and other security agents guarding the house also drove off shortly after.
Confirming the development, a source who preferred anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the case, said, “The former governor has left. He left with Governor Ododo, who just drove out now with his security guards.”
A source at the EFCC, who also preferred anonymity, said, “Yahaya Bello has escaped with the Kogi State Governor, Ododo. Our operatives could not stop the governor.”
Efforts to confirm the reason behind the siege on Bello’s residence failed as the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, did not respond to inquiries concerning the development.
The EFCC had been having a running battle with the former governor over allegation of corruption.
The anti-graft agency had arraigned the ex-governor’s nephew, Ali Bello, in a charge that featured the ex-governor’s name.
The EFCC, in the charges, alleged N84bn fraud.
One of the counts read: “That you, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, Yahaya Adoza Bello (still at large), and Abdulsalam Hudu (still at large), sometime in September 2015 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80,246,470,089.88, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(b) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended,”
However, the Kogi State government faulted the charge, describing it as ‘ridiculous and laughable,’ saying the state had no missing funds.
