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EFCC Chairman, Yahaya Bello
The hide and seek game between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello will continue tomorrow when the N82bn corruption case against the governor resumes.
Bello, who has avoided the court sittings in the past, will need to appear on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 to take his plea in the corruption charges.
However, there are indications that he may decline court appearance as he is afraid of a bobby trap when he will finally be arrested by the operatives of the EFCC.
A security source, who spoke to LEADERSHIP on the issue, said for Bello to clear his name and prove that he is innocent, he will need to appear in court on Wednesday.
The source, while speaking on the alleged surrender Bello did at the EFCC headquarters recently and why the EFCC operatives failed to arrest, said, “The EFCC is a highly professional agency with strict guidelines about arrest, bail, surrender of wanted suspects, investigation and prosecution.
“He came carrying himself like an emperor in an environment where he is a suspect. Besides, the commission reportedly stumbled on some intelligence regarding his motives for surrender which could jeopardise his trial eventually.
“All these made Ola Olukoyede, the EFCC chairman to act swiftly and turned down his contrived surrender offer. The only saving grace and last opportunity is for him to show up in court on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 to take his plea.
“The commission is not perturbed about all his moves because charges have been drafted against him already and his delay tactics about taking his plea could only worsen his case.”
His last opportunity is to make himself available in court. That is the only thing that can help his case.“
It would be noted that the money laundering case of N82billion against Bello will resume at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday where the anti-graft agency is trying him on 19-count charges filed against him.
He had avoided court sessions scheduled for his arraignment for at least five times starting from April 17, 23; May 10; June 13 and July 17.
On April 17, the day the court issued a warrant for his arrest, operatives of the EFCC attempted to effect his arrest at his residence in Wuse district of Abuja but the move was frustrated by security personnel attached to the premises.
After hours of being unable to secure their mission, the security operatives were reinforced with backup support from the Police and Department of State Services (DSS). They were planning to forcefully arrest Bello when Governor Usman Ododo, Bello‘s successor, arrived at the scene and later left with him. Subsequently, the EFCC declared Bello wanted.
