Yahaya Bello nears arrest as Immigration places him on watchlist
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), on Thursday 18th April 2024, announced the placement of immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello, on watchlist.
This came hours after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared him wanted in connection with an alleged case of money laundering to the tune of N80.2bn.
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The development was contained in a circular dated 18th April 2024 and signed by Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, DS Umar, for the Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap.
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The Service detailed the name, nationality, and passport number of the former gpvernor (B50083321) saying, “I am directed to inform you that the above-named person has been placed on the watch list.
“Suffice to mention that the subject is being prosecuted before the Federal High Court Abuja for conspiracy, breach of trust, and money laundering vide letter Ref; CR; 3000/EFCC/LS/EGCS.1/ TE/Vide/1/279 dated April 18, 2024.
“If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation or contact 08036226329/07039617304 for further action.”
Earlier, the EFCC declared Bello wanted, asking members of the public with useful information about the former governor’s whereabouts to contact any of the commission’s offices across the country.
The anti-graft commission had earlier stated that it would arraign the former governor before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday.
This came after the EFCC was granted a warrant of arrest by the Federal High Court in Abuja to apprehend Bello.
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.
But drama ensued when officers of the Nigeria Police Force foiled the EFCC’s attempt to arrest Bello at his Abuja residence on Wednesday.
A group of armed men, identified as “Special Forces,” along with officers from the Nigeria Police Force, intervened to prevent the EFCC operatives from apprehending him.
Infopowerng 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 out of the location in the governor’s vehicle.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has withdrawn all police officers attached to the embattled former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
The order for the withdrawal was contained in a police wireless message.
The document with reference number: “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/ 34 read in part, “IG has ordered the withdrawal of all policemen attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
“Acknowledge compliance and treat with utmost importance. Please, above, for your information and strict compliance.”
The Nigeria Immigration Service has also placed Bello on its watchlist after he evaded arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the accusation of N80 billion fraud. The notice to this effect comes a few hours after the EFCC declared the former governor wanted.
Bello is being wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corrupt practices while in office as governor of Kogi State.
