The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has been placed on the watchlist, the Nigerian Immigration Service(NIS) has disclosed.
Comptroller General of NIS, Kemi Nanna Nandap made this known in a circular dated April 18, 2024, addressed to several security stakeholders, including the Director General, Department of State Services, the Inspector General of Police and the Director General, National Intelligence Agency NIA.
The circular which was signed by the Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, DS Umar, provided the name, nationality and passport number (B50083321) of the former Governor.
The circular reads, “Suffice to mention that the subject is being prosecuted before the Federal High Court Abuja for Conspiracy, Breach of Trust and Money Laundering vide letter Ref; CR; 3000/EFCC/LS/EGCS.1/TE/V1/279 dated 18 April 2024.
” If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation or contact 08036226329/07039617304 for further action.
“Please accept as always the Comptroller General warmest regards and esteem”.
This came hours after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared Bello wanted in connection to an alleged case of money laundering to the tune of N80.2bn.
The EFCC declared Bello wanted on its official Facebook page after failed attempts to arrest him on Wednesday in Abuja.
The commission stated, “The public is hereby notified that Yahaya Adoza Bello (former Governor of Kogi State), whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in connection with an alleged case of Money Laundering to the tune of N80,246,470,089.88
“Bello, a 48-year-old Ebira man, is a native of the Okenne Local Government of Kogi State. His last known address is: 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.”
The notice asked anybody with useful information about the former governor’s whereabouts to contact any of the commission’s offices across the country.
Recall, the anti-graft agency had on Wednesday laid siege to his Benghazi street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja residence in a bid to arrest him ahead of his planned arraignment for money laundering on Thursday.
The EFCC operatives barricaded the street, preventing vehicular traffic in the area.
But the ex-governor refused to grant the operatives access to his residence or give himself up, leading to a stand-off which lasted for several hours.
Amidst the tense situation, the governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, drove to his predecessor’s compound with heavy security operatives.
About two hours later, he drove away with Bello in his car, thus helping him to evade arrest.
After the governor and Bello left, the EFCC operatives retreated and went back to their office empty-handed.
Piqued by the development, the EFCC in a statement warned that it would no longer condone the obstruction of its operatives in the course of their duties.
Reacting to the development, the AGF condemned in strong terms the trend where citizens ganged up to obstruct officials of the EFCC while on lawful duty.
The AGF in a statement described the situation as bizarre, saying it would not be tolerated.
Fagbemi said, “The bizarre drama confronting the EFCC in the course of its efforts to perform its statutory duty has come to my notice as a matter of very grave concern.
“It is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigation into any matter regardless of status.
“Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of the EFCC but to honourably answer their invitation.
“A situation where public officials who are themselves subject to protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is, to say the least, insufferably disquieting.”
The AGF maintained that he would not hesitate to rein in any law enforcement agency violating the citizens’ fundamental human rights.
Warning Bello against his flight from the law, Fagbemi noted, “A flight from the law does not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbates it.
‘’I state unequivocally that I stand for the rule of law and will promptly caution the EFCC and indeed any other agency when there is an indication of any transgression of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies but I also tenaciously hold the view that institutions of State should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently.”
But defending his client’s action, Mohammed explained that the ex-governor had on February 9 secured an order from a Kogi State High Court, restraining the EFCC from inviting, arresting or prosecuting him over the subject matter of the instant charge against him.
He added that the EFCC had appealed against the order which was still pending.
Addressing Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who was meant to preside over the money laundering charge slammed against the ex-governor during the proceeding on Thursday, the ex-governor’s lawyer, Mohammed, said his client had already filed a preliminary objection to challenge the legal propriety of his planned arraignment and trial.
The arraignment of the ex-governor could not go on as he did not show up in court.
metronetworknews with punch report
