The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has requested INTERPOL in Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria to watch-list former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. This decision is based on credible intelligence, sources revealed over the weekend.
Other countries where the ex-governor is now on the watch-list include Egypt, Libya, and Sudan.
Sources in the anti-graft agency stated that several options are being considered to address the Bello situation, including possibly storming the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja, where the ex-governor is believed to be hiding.
The watch-list was activated ahead of Bello’s expected appearance before a Federal High Court in Abuja on July 17th.
Although the ex-governor has denied the allegations, he has consistently failed to appear before the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, on June 13th and June 27th. During the last hearing, he filed an application for the transfer of his trial to the Federal High Court in Lokoja.
Speaking on the situation, an EFCC source said: “Ahead of the next hearing, EFCC has activated many options, including taking concrete action to watch-list Bello in North Africa.
“We are aware of a botched exit to Morocco via Cameroon. We are determined to stop him from going into exile.
“From Singapore, the EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, was in Tunisia where he delivered a paper on illicit financial flows. Thereafter, he had a meeting with all the Heads of INTERPOL in North Africa regarding the intelligence on the ex-governor.
“He formally asked INTERPOL to place Bello on Red Alert in all North African countries, and it was accepted.
“The watch-list has taken immediate effect. He will be arrested in any part of North Africa.
“We took this step because we suspect he has been avoiding arraignment. We expect Bello to be in court to prove his innocence. EFCC has to do its work to avoid setting a bad precedent.”
At the last hearing, Bello’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), applied to withdraw his appearance for his client. Adedipe also drew the court’s attention to an application before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for the transfer of the case to the Federal High Court in Lokoja, citing Section 45 of the Federal High Court Establishment Act.
