The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will certainly bring Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Kogi State, to justice, Dele Oyewale, head of media and publicity for the EFCC, who spoke on the matter yesterday (Thursday, August 22) during an interview on News Central TV, has assured.
Bello is facing charges by the EFCC for alleged money laundering, breach of trust and the misappropriation of N80.2 billion.
The EFCC had previously declared Bello wanted after multiple unsuccessful attempts to arrest him.
On August 20, the court of appeal in Abuja ordered Bello to surrender himself for arraignment by the EFCC.
Oyewale described the court’s ruling as a “vindication” of the EFCC’s position that Bello must face trial.
“What the court of appeal is saying is just to amplify the position of the commission and also to establish the fact that we are focused concerning his matter,” he said.
He dismissed claims that the EFCC is neglecting certain cases, insisting that all matters before the commission are given the “necessary attention.”
He attributed delays in some cases to procedural issues and the commission’s “strict” adherence to the rule of law.
Oyewale also mentioned that the commission is collaborating with both local and international law enforcement agencies to ensure Bello’s arrest.
“As it is now, Yahaya Bello cannot come into the open. He cannot make himself available anywhere because he has become a fugitive, and we all know the instruments of the law—anywhere he is sighted, he would be arrested,” Oyewale said.
“He is hiding, he has gone underground. Every law enforcement agency, both local and international agencies are involved.”
He assured Nigerians that the EFCC remains focused on resolving Bello’s case, along with other ongoing investigations.
