For eight months Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi state eluded the arrest of the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC which wants him tried on corruption-related issue.
Surprisingly, Bello on Tuesday handed himself to the EFCC and he’s currently being detained by the commission, which said he’s being drilled ahead his trial at a Federal High court in Abuja on November 28.
Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, while confirming the development on Tuesday night said the former governor is currently being interrogated by investigators.
The former governor allegedly stole a whopping N110 billion while he presided over the affairs of the Nigeria North central state, for eight years the EFCC claimed amidst serious agitation among not a few Nigerians that he be brought to book.
Since April this year, when he was first declared wanted by the commission, the former governor played hide and seek with the EFCC, the last one being in September when he reported to the commission’s office in Abuja, but later went underground, amidst suggestions that he’s being aided by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo to dodge arrest.
Governor Ododo, who rode on Bello’s wings to office last year has allegedly been hiding his predecessor in the state Government House, Lokoja using his immunity status as a state governor, political analysts said.
Recall that Governor Ododo’s security clashed with the EFCC at the Kogi state Liaison Office in Abuja, two months ago, when detectives from the commission tried to arrest the former governor.
Ododo, had same day of the incident accompanied Bello to the EFCC office.
Now that the former governor has surrendered himself, close watchers of the matter said the chicken may have finally come home to roost for him, as the EFCC has charged him for over N100 billion fraud.
Other analysts are saying that his surrender may indicate a crack in his relationship with his successor who may have decided to allow “him to run his race’ one person familiar with the state politics said on Wednesday.
The incumbent may have also been warned by the “Presidency” to stop blocking Bello’s trial, another person close to the Nigerian seat of power, Aso Rock said.
According to the source, Governor Ododo “has been warned to allow the court to do their job by allowing Bello to face trial”.
In September an FCT High court in Abuja reiterated an earlier order on Bello to surrender himself to EFCC for trial.
The court, in a ruling by Justice Maryanne Anenih, had also fixed November 27 for the arraignment of the former governor, who is expected to take his plea tomorrow when he appears in court.
Meanwhile, close watchers of the issue insist that the former governor should expect a long trial after his months of ding dong with the Nigerian authority.
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