The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives have arrested Yahaya Bello, a former governor of Kogi State, in connection with ongoing investigations into alleged financial misconduct during his tenure.
SaharaReporters learnt that the EFCC detained Yahaya Bello around 12pm and he is having a session with investigators.
The EFCC operatives are grilling Bello, in connection with ongoing investigations into alleged financial misconduct during his tenure.
Bello, who served as governor from 2016 to 2023, faces charges related to the mismanagement of state funds, as well as accusations of embezzlement and abuse of office.
“Former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello was arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in Abuja and not voluntary submission, as spread by paid media.
“Yahaya Bello was brought in at 12:54pm.
Following his arrest, he is having a session with investigators of the Commission. He is also being detained at the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja,” SaharaReporters learnt from a top source.
Earlier in November, SaharaReporters reported that the EFCC had filed fresh charges against the wanted former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, accusing him of N110 billion fraud.
The EFCC had initially filed 19 charges against the former Kogi governor, along with his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, for money laundering offences amounting to N80,246,470,088.88.
In the fresh charges dated September 25, the total amount involved is N110,446,470,89.00.
The Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, had dismissed the oral bail applications of Abdulsalam Hudu and Umar Oricho, who are co-defendants of Yahaya Bello in the N110.4billion fraud case preferred again them by the EFCC.
Justice Maryanne Anenih dismissed the oral bail, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
Bello, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu were listed as first to third defendants.
At the resumed hearing before Justice Maryann Anenih, the counsel for the EFCC said the order of the court, given on October 3, had not elapsed.
“In that wise, we feel it will not be appropriate for us to take proceedings while that 30 days is still running. So we have discussed and agreed to come back on the November 27,” he told the court.
He also noted that the November 20 date earlier given was not convenient for the prosecution counsel.