Yahaya Bello: EFCC threatens to arrest ex-governor with soldiers

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has vowed to arrest Yahaya Bello, the immediate former governor of Kogi State, and bring him before the Federal High Court in Abuja for arraignment on the charges brought against him.

This came after Bello’s counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammed, SAN, refused to be served in the place of his client, who is on the run from the EFCC.

The anti-graft agency, speaking at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday through a team of lawyers led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, emphasised that operatives would carry out the arrest order against the former governor, even if it required the use of force.

He said, “We have to arraign him in court even if we have to use the military. Immunity is only attached to a person, not the building.

“The law allows us to break down walls to arrest an evading defendant. Section 284 says all persons are to obey the service of charge.”

He said, “We have to arraign him in court even if we have to use the military. Immunity is only attached to a person, not the building.

“The law allows us to break down walls to arrest an evading defendant. Section 284 says all persons are to obey the service of charge.”

The EFCC had earlier warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct its officers from carrying out their lawful duties.

The warning comes after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi State, “rescued” Yahaya Bello, his predecessor, from the siege of the commission in Abuja on Wednesday.

Chronicle NG reports that operatives of the EFCC had earlier restricted movement in and around Bello’s house, situated on Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

However, after a few hours, Ododo arrived at Bello’s residence and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.