The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says the recent visit by Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi state was an “invitation to anarchy”.
On September 18, Bello arrived the headquarters of the EFCC alongside Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi state.
But the anti-graft agency said Bello was not in its custody, adding that the former governor remains wanted for alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation to the tune of N80.2 billion.
Sources say EFCC operatives turned back Bello and Ododo at the agency’s car park.
On September 19, Bello’s media office alleged that EFCC operatives laid siege to the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja, in a bid to forcefully arrest the former governor hours after his visit.
At the court on Wednesday, Kemi Pinheiro, the lead prosecution counsel of the EFCC, said Bello’s appearance at the EFCC car park was “out of place”.
Pinhero said Bello was holding the hands of Ododo, the governor who has immunity, at the EFCC premises.
He said the EFCC had written to Bello’s lawyers that the former governor should appear in court and that the arraignment will not take place in the agency’s office.
Pinhero asked Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, to exercise his powers and show to Abdulwahab Mohammed, counsel of Bello, that the court is not a “vaudeville for entertainment but for serious business”.
“There is nowhere my Lordship or the Court of Appeal ordered that Yahaya Bello present himself at the EFCC car park, but rather to appear before my Lordship for arraignment,” the EFCC counsel said.
“What is even more worrisome and disconcerting is that the defendant went to the EFCC car park holding the hands of a person with immunity who came with all the full security of his office.
“The implication, my Lord, is if there was an attempt to get him from the person of immunity, there would be an invitation to anarchy.
“The invitation by the EFCC later in the day for Yahaya Bello to come alone, not with a person with immunity, security persons and other people was resisted again on their own admission.”
On his part, counsel to Bello begged the court not to charge the defence team for contempt and grant the prayers in their application.
“Our application is filed on the 18th of July 2024, it is supported by an 11- paragraph affidavit deposed to by the applicant Mr. Adeola Adedipe. That affidavit has an exhibit marked A, and in compliance with my Lord is a written address,” he said.
