The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, in connection with accusations of ₦80.2 billion fraud.
Bello was arrested on Tuesday, November 26, after he voluntarily presented himself at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest, stating, “It is true that we have him in our custody. The Commission’s operatives arrested him.”
Bello had been declared wanted by the EFCC on April 18, 2024, facing charges of money laundering and the misappropriation of public funds.
The former governor reportedly arrived at the EFCC office with his legal team to respond to the allegations.
His detention represents a major development in the case, as he had previously ignored multiple summons from the anti-graft agency for several months.
Notably, Kogi State’s current governor, Usman Ododo, who had previously accompanied Bello to the EFCC office, was absent from Tuesday’s proceedings.
The EFCC’s investigation focuses on the alleged laundering of ₦80.2 billion during Bello’s time in office as governor.
The case has attracted public attention due to the severity of the allegations and Bello’s prior refusal to comply with the Commission’s summons.
Additional updates on the case are anticipated as the investigation progresses.
