Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has made a voluntary visit to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), according to a statement from his media team. The visit follows weeks of speculation surrounding allegations against the ex-governor.
Bello’s media team explained that the visit was arranged after consultations with his legal advisers and political allies.
In their initial statement, they confirmed that Bello had chosen to honor the EFCC’s invitation in line with his respect for legal institutions. However, they made it clear that he was not held in custody nor interrogated during the visit.
He said, “Former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, today honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. This decision was made after due consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies.
“The former governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had all the while only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights to ensure due process.”
Michael added, “The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello has 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 firmly believes 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.
“It is on record that he was the first governor of Kogi State to implement an anti-corruption mechanism to curb graft and ensure that the state’s resources benefit its people.
“He was accompanied to the EFCC headquarters by high-profile Nigerians. We hope that the commission will act professionally and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Details of his engagement with the operatives of the anti-graft agency will be disclosed later.”
