Revealed: How ex-Kogi governor Yahaya Bello escaped EFCC arrest

• The EFCC has claimed that Kogi state Governor Usman Ododo is interfering with the case of Yahaya Bello and the anti-graft agency
• On Wednesday, Bello stormed the EFCC's headquarters in Abuja and his media team claimed operatives of the anti-graft agency asked the ex-governor to leave without interrogating him
• Operatives of the EFCC on Friday, disclosed to the press that Ododo's actions prevented the EFCC operatives from arresting Bello over an alleged N80.2bn fraud case

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, reportedly evaded arrest by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, with the assistance of his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.

EFCC opens up on how Yahaya Bello escape arrest at governor's lodge. Photo credit: Alhaji Yahaya Bello, EFCC
Source: Facebook

The EFCC had laid siege to the Kogi state Government Lodge in Abuja in an attempt to apprehend Bello, who is wanted over an alleged N80.2bn fraud case.

Despite the operation, Ododo allegedly helped Bello avoid arrest, leveraging the immunity he enjoys as a sitting governor.

On Wednesday, September 18, after a visit by Bello and Ododo to the EFCC headquarters, the commission denied having Bello in custody.

EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale stated that Bello was not detained, despite claims by Bello’s media team that he had visited the agency.

EFCC officials indicated that Ododo’s actions prevented them from arresting Bello, stating that his governorship immunity hindered the operatives from taking further action.

Speaking on what transpired on Wednesday, EFCC officials said Ododo helped Bello to escape again just like in April.

One of the officials told The Punch that:

“Yahaya Bello has not been arrested. The Kogi State governor prevented operatives from doing their work yesterday just like he did the other time. He took him away and our men could not do anything because of the immunity he (Ododo) is enjoying.”

As of the time of filing this report, EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, is yet to speak on the matter.

The Cable also confirmed the report in its publication.

Read more about Yahaya Bello here:

• Confusion as EFCC says Yahaya Bello not in its custody
• Nigerians react as Yahaya Bello explains why he surrendered to EFCC
• EFCC vs Yahaya Bello: Drama as activist apologises to ex-Kogi governor, video trends

Yahaya Bello: PDP chieftain backs EFCC

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Usman Okai Austin, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi state, backed the EFCC's decision to place Bello on Interpol watch.

Okai who was the PDP candidate in 2023 for the Dekina/Bassa house of representatives election, maintained that this move rekindled the hope for justice in the face of alleged wrongdoing.

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Source: Legit.ng