JUST IN: Yahaya Bello remains wanted, not in our custody — EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied claims that former Kogi State Governor Mr Yahaya Bello was arrested by the commission.

Mr Dele Oyewale, the spokesman of the anti-graft agency in a statement on Wednesday said the ex-governor remains wanted “for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges”.

“Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.

“Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” Oyewale said.

Meanwhile, this is coming after Mr Bello’s media office announced that he has decided to surrender to the agency after consultations with his legal team and political associates.

The media office in a statement on Wednesday claimed that his decision to honour the EFCC’s invitation was in line with his commitment to upholding his fundamental human rights and ensuring that due process was followed.

Recall that EFCC charged Bello with 19 counts of money laundering before the Federal High Court in Abuja after he completed his second and final term as governor in January.

The commission alleged in the charges that Yahaya Bello diverted more than N80 billion from the Kogi state government’s treasury as Governor.

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