Videos circulating on social media on Wednesday show armed EFCC operatives stationed outside the ex-governor’s home on Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
At the time of reporting, the reason for the siege on Bello’s residence remained unconfirmed, as EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale did not respond to inquiries regarding the incident.
However, the EFCC had previously filed charges against Yahaya Bello, his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in an amended charge in March 2024, alleging N84bn money laundering.
In response to the raid, the ex-governor’s media office issued a statement condemning the EFCC’s actions and urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
The statement emphasized that the EFCC’s presence at Bello’s residence contradicted an injunction granted by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division, restraining the commission from harassing or prosecuting him pending the hearing of a fundamental rights enforcement action.
The media office accused the EFCC of plotting to embarrass and harass Bello with spurious allegations, including those dating back to September 2015.
“About 9:30 am today, the 17th day of April 2024, persons who described themselves as officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrived the Wuse Zone 4 Residence of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to effect his arrest.
“This is despite a subsisting Order of injunction granted on 9th February 2024 by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Alhaji Yahaya Bello v. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, restraining the Commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining or prosecuting Alhaji Yahaya Bello, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.
“The EFCC was duly served with that Order on 12th February 2024 and on 26th February 2024; the EFCC filed an Appeal (Appeal No.: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission v. Alhaji Yahaya Bello) against the said Order to the Court of Appeal Abuja division.
“The Appeal was accompanied by a Motion for Stay of Execution of the Order of the High Court which the Court of Appeal adjourned for hearing till the 22nd day of April 2024.
“Furthermore, Judgement in the substantive case between Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the EFCC is to be delivered at 12 Noon today in Lokoja.
“Contrary to all of the above, the EFCC has now laid siege to the home of H.E Yahaya Bello seeking to arrest him in contravention of the extant orders!
“It is a surprise that an agency led by a lawyer could flagrantly disobey a subsisting court order by taking actions contrary to the reliefs granted.
“We are aware of the total commitment of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the rule of law and can say categorically that the leadership of the EFCC might have offered the agency on a platter of gold to desperate politicians to convert to their score settling tool without minding the effect on its integrity and the image of Nigeria as regards the rule of law.
“A situation where law enforcers disregard the rule of law is a definite recipe for anarchy, which will adversely affect every aspect of the nation’s economy.
“Nigerians have perceived the desperation of the anti-graft agency to embarrass and harass the former Governor by all means through spurious allegations, especially the latest one dating back to September 2015, way before he assumed office.
“We are aware that there are clandestine moves to correct the error, but with even more questionable allegations, which would embarrass the Commission and Nigeria more than the initial one.
“It is unfortunate that an agency that is supposed to enforce the law is now the first culprit with respect to disobedience of court orders. This is a big dent on the fight against corruption. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the EFCC to order in the interest of legal sanity,” the statement said.
The EFCC’s amended charge accuses Yahaya Bello of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds totaling N84,062,406,089.88.
Bello’s nephew Ali Bello and Dauda Suleiman, who were present in court, pleaded not guilty to all counts during the arraignment, while ex-Governor Yahaya Bello and Hudu remain at large.
KanyiDaily recalls that Yahaya Bello’s wife, Rashida was previously declared wanted by the EFCC over a N3 billion fraud.
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