Some operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday night attempted to arrest former governor Yahaya Bello at the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja.
Bello’s spokesman Michael Ohiare made this known in a statement.
This followed conflicting statements from the EFCC and Bello’s media office.
Mr Ohiare earlier said Bello was at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja accompanied by his successor Governor Ahmed Ododo but the EFCC asked Bello to leave without interrogation.
The former governor was declared wanted in April. He is accused of laundering over N80 billion.
The EFCC countered with its statement, saying Bello was not in its custody and that he remains wanted.
However, in a statement on Wednesday night, Bello’s media office raised the alarm about attempt by EFCC operatives to arrest Bello.
Ohiare said, “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. They were shooting sporadically.
“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC office voluntarily earlier today but the commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount a Gestapo-like attack on the Kogi State 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 were fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption. This action reflects much more than the fight against corruption.”
