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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello wanted for allegedly laundering $720,000. According to EFCC boss Ola Olukoyede, Bello withdrew the funds from a government account to pay his child’s school fees in advance.
The funds were reportedly wired to a Bureau de Change operator to facilitate the payment.
Bello’s legal team, led by Adeola Adedipe, SAN, claims he is willing to appear in court but fears arrest, citing an outstanding warrant. They argue that the EFCC is illegal, as the Federal Government did not consult with the 36 states before enacting the EFCC Act. Adedipe contends that the warrant of arrest should be set aside since the charge had not been served on Bello as required by law.
However, EFCC lawyer Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, counters that the Supreme Court has settled the issue of the agency’s legality. Pinheiro urges the court to refuse Bello’s application to quash the arrest warrant until he presents himself for arraignment. He argues that Bello cannot stay in hiding and file numerous applications, stressing that the main issue should be ascertaining his whereabouts.
The EFCC alleges that Bello laundered public funds to buy houses in Lagos and Maitama and transfer funds abroad. The agency is determined to bring him to justice, and Pinheiro offers to discharge the arrest warrant if Bello’s legal team undertakes to ensure his presence on the next adjourned date.
The legal battle continues, with the EFCC and Bello’s legal team engaging in a heated debate over the legality of the EFCC and the validity of the arrest warrant. The case has been adjourned, with the outcome eagerly anticipated by Nigerians following the high-profile trial.