The immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is reportedly preparing to meet with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja in the coming days regarding allegations of fraud, sources close to the situation revealed to THEWILL on Wednesday.
An insider from the EFCC disclosed that Bello, who has been evading authorities, is expected to voluntarily submit himself to the agency soon, marking a potential resolution to the ongoing drama surrounding his invitation. “We are expecting him to submit himself any time from now. His people reached out to us saying he is now ready to honor our invitation,” the source, who requested anonymity, stated.
Bello faces a serious 16-count charge related to money laundering, amounting to a staggering N110,446,470,89.00. He has been in hiding since a botched attempt by the EFCC to arrest him at his residence in Abuja back in April.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, presided over by Justice Maryanne Anenih, had previously directed that a hearing notice be served on Bello following his repeated absences from court for arraignment. On November 14, Justice Anenih ordered that the hearing notice be affixed to Bello’s residence at No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, as well as displayed on the court’s notice board. The summons expired on November 17, but the EFCC has requested an adjournment to allow Bello additional time to respond to the public summons, which provides a 30-day period for his appearance.
In a related development, the Supreme Court recently dismissed a case brought by the Kogi State Government that sought to declare the EFCC illegal and unconstitutional. The apex court ruled that the Act establishing the EFCC did not require ratification by the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states, as it is not classified as a treaty but rather a convention.
The lawsuit, initially filed by the Kogi State government under suit number SC/CV/178/2023, was later joined by several other states, including Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross River, Niger, Adamawa, Ebonyi, and Taraba. The plaintiffs argued that the EFCC Act, enacted in 2004, did not adhere to the provisions outlined in Section 12 of the amended 1999 Constitution, which requires a majority of State Houses of Assembly to consent to such legislation. They contended that the Act cannot be enforced in states that did not provide their consent, leading them to seek a declaration of its illegality and unconstitutionality.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on Yahaya Bello as he prepares to face the EFCC and the allegations against him.
