N80bn money laundering: FG places Yahaya Bello on watchlist, immigration alerts DSS

The Federal Government on Thursday put the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello,  on its watchlist to prevent him from escaping from the country.

The Nigerian Immigration Service, in a circular dated April 18, 2024 and signed by Assistant Comptroller of Immigration DS Umar, for the Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap, alerted the police and the Department of State Services to effect the former governor’s arrest.

This came hours after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared Bello wanted in connection to an alleged case of money laundering to the tune of N80.2bn.The EFCC declared Bello wanted on its official Facebook page after failed attempts to arrest him on Wednesday in Abuja.

Also, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and Abdulwahab Mohammed (SAN), Bello, on Thursday, disagreed over the foiled attempt by the EFCC  to arrest the former governor.

But the NIS, in its circular, copies of which were sent to the DSS and the police,   detailed the name, nationality and passport number of the former Governor (B50083321).

The circular sighted by The PUNCH,  was signed by Assistant Comptroller of Immigration DS Umar, for the Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap.

Nanadap stated,  “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.”

Bello declared wanted

On its part, the EFCC in its Facebook post, stated, “The public is hereby notified that Yahaya Adoza Bello (former Governor of Kogi State), whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in connection with an alleged case of Money Laundering to the tune of N80,246,470,089.88

“Bello, a 48-year-old Ebira man, is a native of the Okenne Local Government of Kogi State. His last known address is: 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.”

The notice asked anybody with useful information about the former governor’s whereabouts to contact any of the commission’s offices across the country.

The latest development followed Bello’s absence from the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he was scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.

Bello’s altercation with the EFCC began on Wednesday when the operatives of the anti-graft commission laid siege to his Benghazi street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja residence in a bid to arrest him ahead of his planned arraignment for money laundering on Thursday.

The EFCC operatives barricaded the street, preventing vehicular traffic in the area.

But the ex-governor refused to grant the operatives access to his residence or give himself up, leading to a stand-off which lasted for several hours.

Amidst the tense situation, the governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, drove to his predecessor’s compound with heavy security operatives.

About two hours later, he drove away with Bello in his car, thus helping him to evade arrest.

About 10 minutes after the governor and Bello left, the EFCC operatives retreated and went back to their office empty-handed.

Miffed by the development, the EFCC in a statement warned that it would no longer condone the obstruction of its operatives in the course of their duties.

While quoting the provisions of the law, Oyewale noted that culprits were liable to a jail term of not less than five years.

In his reaction to Bello’s refusal to surrender to the EFCC, the AGF condemned in strong terms the trend where citizens ganged up to obstruct officials of the EFCC while on lawful duty.

The AGF in a statement described the situation as bizarre, saying it would not be tolerated.

Fagbemi said, “The bizarre drama confronting the EFCC in the course of its efforts to perform its statutory duty has come to my notice as a matter of very grave concern.

“It is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigation into any matter regardless of status.

“Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of the EFCC but to honourably answer their invitation.