F•ormer Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State arriving the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, accompanied by his successor in office, Governor Usman Ododo
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, declaring that he has nothing to hide or fear.
The former Governor’s media office confirmed this on Wednesday through a statement signed by the Director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael.
The statement noted that Bello’s decision to appear before the anti-graft agency comes after consultations with his family, legal team, and political associates.
The statement was titled “Former Governor Yahaya Bello honours EFCC’s invitation.”
Bello was said to have been accompanied to the EFCC headquarters by several high-profile Nigerians.
The former governor has been in a running battle with the anti-graft agency over alleged financial impropriety while he was the number one citizen of Kogi.
He and three others are facing 19 counts related to money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion.
However, the statement disclosed that the former governor personally engaged with the EFCC to clear his name, stating he has “nothing to hide and nothing to fear.”
It said that he had previously pursued the enforcement of his fundamental rights to ensure due process in the ongoing investigation.
“The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. It is important for the former Governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.
“The former Governor believes firmly in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development; and supports the fight against corruption in the country,” the statement read.
The Daily Crucible reports that in April, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede vowed to resign if the ex – helmsman of Kogi State Government is not prosecuted.
Olukoyede swore to pursue the case to the logical conclusion. He also vowed that all those who obstructed Bello’s arrest would be brought to justice.
And Bello also fought back, including using the court to compel Olukoyede and the agency to follow due process to handle his matter.
