EFCC stormed Kogi Govt Lodge to arrest Yahaya Bello, says Aide

The media office of the former Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has alleged that EFCC operatives on Wednesday night laid siege at the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro, in an attempt to arrest the ex-governor.

The team’s media director, Ohiare Michael, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, alleged that the anti-graft officers shot sporadically in the air in the bid to carry out their aim.

The statement reads: “It has come to our notice that people suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro, in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello.

They have been shooting sporadically.

“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily, but the commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount an attack on the Kogi Government facility in Asokoro.

“We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him.

“Tonight’s attack was needless, as the former governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation.

“The EFCC had no question to ask Alhaji Yahaya Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him.

“This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they are fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption.

“This action reflects much more than a fight against corruption. We will keep Nigerians posted.”

Supreme News reports that the anti-graft agency had filed a 19-count money laundering charge against Bello before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja.