Reports have surfaced explaining why the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declined to question former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, despite his recent visit to the commission’s headquarters.
Bello had appeared at the EFCC offices alongside his successor, Governor Ahmed Ododo, and other dignitaries, following an invitation from the commission regarding alleged mismanagement of N80.2 billion, as stated by his media office.
However, the EFCC purportedly turned down his visit due to the unorthodox manner in which he arrived.
Sources within the EFCC indicated that Bello’s group, which included the current governor, breached the commission’s invitation procedures, leading to their dismissal, and Bello remains a person of interest.
The EFCC asserts that no person, irrespective of their position, should attend an invitation accompanied by a governor and a procession of vehicles.
The Nation quoted an EFCC source saying, “Upon realising that Bello came with the governor and some dignitaries, the Executive Chairman directed that no official should attend to him.”
The source continued, “His manner of coming to EFCC was a breach of our protocol. No Nigerian, no matter how highly placed, is expected to come for an invitation in a convoy of vehicles and with a sitting governor.
“To the EFCC, he came with grandeur which is contrary to our procedures.
“There are stages of documentation which Bello skipped because he was with the governor who has immunity.
“The EFCC also did not invite the governor. So, what was the basis for accompanying Bello to our headquarters in Abuja?
“We have not been comfortable with the roles of the governor in this case.
“After fulfilling all procedures of documentation, Bello was expected to come with his lawyer(s) and not a governor or Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).
“We cannot be intimidated or subject our system to political pollution.
“This made the Executive Chairman of EFCC to direct that no official should attend to Bello. He must undergo due process like every invitee.”
The commission also expressed dissatisfaction with Bello’s team spreading false information, claiming he was already in EFCC custody.
“The commission was unhappy with the pre-emptive propaganda in the media by Bello’s team which had created false impressions.
“There was a narration that the ex-governor was already in EFCC’s custody,” the source said.
The EFCC reiterated that Bello remains wanted and not in their custody.
“As long as Bello does not conform with our protocol, our operatives will arrest him. We are still looking for him.”
Bello and three others are accused of money laundering in a 19-count charge, involving the conversion of N80.2 billion from illicit sources. His court appearance was planned for April but was postponed due to his nonattendance.
In April, the EFCC had secured an arrest warrant against Bello. However, when EFCC officials tried to execute the warrant, Governor Ododo reportedly intervened and assisted in moving Bello away, purportedly to the government residence in Kogi state.
 declined to question former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, despite his recent visit to the commission's headquarters.){kind=link}