FORMER Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has accepted an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as confirmed by his media office today.
A statement signed by Ohiare Michael, the Director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, indicated that Bello’s choice to appear before the anti-graft agency followed consultations with his family, legal team, and political associates.
The statement, titled “Former Governor Yahaya Bello Honours EFCC’s Invitation,” mentioned that several prominent Nigerians accompanied Bello to the EFCC headquarters.
Bello has faced ongoing scrutiny from the EFCC regarding alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as Governor of Kogi State. He and three others are currently facing 19 charges related to money laundering, amounting to N80.2 billion.
The statement emphasized that the former governor is actively engaging with the EFCC to clear his name, asserting that he has “nothing to hide and nothing to fear.”
It further noted that he has previously sought to protect his fundamental rights to ensure due process during the investigation.
“The case is currently before a competent court, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello has been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. It is crucial for the former governor to now respond to the EFCC’s invitation to clear his name, as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.
“The former governor strongly believes in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to place Nigeria on a path of sustainable economic development and supports the fight against corruption in the country,” the statement read.
As of the time of this report, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, was unavailable for comment.
In April, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede had pledged to resign if the former governor was not prosecuted, committing to see the prosecution of Bello through to its conclusion and to ensure that anyone who hindered his arrest would be brought to justice.