The media office of Yahaya Bello has claimed that on Wednesday night, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) surrounded the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja, in an attempt to forcibly arrest the former governor.
This claim comes just hours after Bello’s media office said the ex-governor had complied with the anti-graft agency’s request to come in for questioning.
The EFCC had immediately denied that Bello was in their custody, reiterating that the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain was still wanted.
However, Bello’s media office responded by saying the politician was not questioned when he visited the EFCC office and was sent back.
“He was accompanied to the commission’s office by Gov Usman Ododo,” the media team had said.
- They Shot Sporadically — Michael
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, Ohiare Michael, director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, said the operatives shot sporadically during the siege.
“It has come to our notice that people suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello,” the statement reads.
“They were shooting sporadically.
“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily, but the commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount an attack on the Kogi Government facility in Asokoro.
“We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him.
“Tonight’s attack was needless as the former Governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation.
“The EFCC had no question to ask Alhaji Yahaya Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him.
“This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they are fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption.
“This action reflects much more than a fight against corruption. We will keep Nigerians posted.”
