IGP withdraws officers attached to EFCC-wanted Yahaya Bello

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has withdrawn the police officers attached as security details to the embattled former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

In a letter referenced CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/ 34, the IGP ordered the withdrawal on Friday, stating, “IG has ordered the withdrawal of all police officers attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.”

Acknowledge compliance and treat it with utmost importance. Please, above, for your information and strict compliance.

Meanwhile, the anti-graft agency EFCC had earlier declared Yahaya Bello wanted in connection with allegations of money laundering totalling N80.2 billion.

Also, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) had placed the former governor, Bello, on its watchlist if he attempts to use the airspace to escape justice.

The NIS has since detailed the former governor’s name, nationality, and passport as B50083321.

I am directed to inform you that the above-named person has been placed on the watch list, the NIS statement said.

Before the high alert placed on Bello alongside three other suspects, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, were to be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on 19 counts related to money laundering upon obtaining a Federal High Court arrest warrant on Wednesday.

However, the Nigerian police officers attached to Bello foiled EFCC’s attempt to arrest him, which warranted the statement below.

EFCC PRESS STATEMENT

We Will No Longer Tolerate Obstruction of Our Operations

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission wishes to warn members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

Section… pic.twitter.com/K3dPPW8450

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) April 17, 2024

WestAfricaWeekly gathered that the current governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, had intervened to prevent the arrest of his predecessor.

Ododo’s security team reportedly escorted Bello in the governor’s vehicle and issued a bogus statement to the President to refrain EFCC Chairman Olukoyede from arresting his predecessor.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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