Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Wednesday, denied having the wanted former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello in its custody.
The EFCC’s statement contradicted earlier claims by Bello’s media office that the former governor had voluntarily surrendered himself to the anti-graft at its Abuja national headquarters.
The anti-graft agency in a swift reaction to Bello’s claim of reporting to the Commission, the Agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said in a statement that media reports that Bello is in its holding facility were incorrect.
“The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody,” the statement read.
The EFCC stressed that Bello, who had since been declared by the agency for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remained wanted as there’s a subsisting warrant for his arrest.
The full text of the statement reads as follows:
EFCC PRESS RELEASE
Yahaya Bello not in EFCC Custody
Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.
Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
September 18, 2024