A source within the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has accused the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo of using his constitutional immunity to prevent their operatives from arresting his predecessor, Yahaya Bello on Wednesday.
SaharaReporters had reported how the EFCC succumbed to pressure and could not detain former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello when he visited the anti-graft commission’s headquarters two days ago.
Bello had previously been declared wanted over allegations of money laundering and corruption to N80.2 billion. However, he finally honoured the EFCC’s invitation, accompanied by Kogi Governor Usman Ododo and others.
Meanwhile, his visit to the EFCC has been plagued by controversy. The spokesperson for the anti-graft agency denied reports that the former governor was in their custody.
“The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody,” he said, adding that Bello “remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest”.
The EFCC later that night laid siege to the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja in an attempt to apprehend Bello. But Ododo was accused of using his immunity to allow Bello to escape arrest.
This was similar to what happened in April, when Ododo reportedly facilitated Bello’s escape from EFCC operatives during another raid in Abuja.
EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale stated that Bello was not detained, despite claims by Bello’s media team that he had visited the agency.
EFCC officials indicated that Ododo’s actions prevented them from arresting Bello, stating that his governorship immunity hindered the operatives from taking further action.
One of the officials was quoted by PUNCH Newspaper saying: “Yahaya Bello has not been arrested. The Kogi State governor prevented operatives from doing their work yesterday just like he did the other time. He took him away and our men could not do anything because of the immunity he (Ododo) is enjoying.”
Peoplesmind
