Kogi Gov Ododo Leads Protesters To Fmr Gov Bello’s Abuja Residence As EFCC Strategizes For Arrest

By Ayodele Oni

The visit by the incumbent Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, to the residence of embattled former governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday is generating controversy.

Amidst a heavy security crackdown on the Bello’s Abuja home, Governor Ododo with his retinue of security aides visited his godfather, while officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) laid siege at the entrance of the house.

Ododo arrived at Bello’s residence at about 2:30 pm Wednesday, alongside several security operatives and youth supporters protesting against the siege to the former governor’s home.

The heavy presence of armed operatives of EFCC also include, policemen, operatives of the Department of State Security, Counter Terrorism Unit, and Yahaya Bello’s private security team.

EFCC operatives had on Wednesday morning stormed Bello’s Abuja home located in Wuse Zone 4, Federal Capital Territory.

The EFCC had earlier dragged Yahaya Bello, his nephew Ali, one Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in an amended charge in March 2024 over an alleged N84bn money laundering.

Reacting to the development, the ex-governor’s media office, in a statement, condemned the operatives’ actions while urging President Bola Tinubu to caution the EFCC.

According to the statement, the presence of the operatives in Bello’s residence negated the order of injunction granted on February 9, 2024, by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division, in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Yahaya Bello v. EFCC.

It restrained the commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting him, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.

Governor Ododo’s visit has generated reactions with some claiming that he was there to thwart effort of the security operatives to arrest his predecessor or to solidarize with his political godfather over his present predicament.