- Orderly room trial for former security aides who failed to arrest ex-governor
- EFCC appeals for Bello’s arrest, seeks stay of execution
The Nigeria Police Force has taken into custody a female police officer who served as the aide-de-camp to former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, as reported by NewsNow.
The ADC, along with other police officers assigned to 48-year-old Bello, is currently held at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
Their apprehension and confinement came following an order Thursday night by Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, instructing their immediate detachment from the former governor.
Sources within the police force, speaking on anonymity, mentioned that the officers were detained on suspicion of assisting Bello’s escape from operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who tried to arrest him at his Abuja residence on Wednesday.
“The ADC and the other police personnel attached to Yahaya Bello have been arrested and are in custody,” one of the sources revealed in a phone conversation with the correspondent on Friday.
Another source confirmed, “Yahaya Bello’s female ADC and other police officers assigned to him were brought to the command this morning and are being held for aiding and abetting (the governor’s escape).”
Egbetokun, on Thursday night, issued a directive for the withdrawal of all police officers connected to Bello.
In a police wireless message seen on Friday morning, the order was clearly stated, instructing the acknowledgment and strict compliance of the withdrawal of police personnel assigned to the former Kogi State governor.
The Federal Government, on Thursday night, placed Bello on a watch list.
An exclusive document obtained by the correspondent revealed that Bello was listed on a watchlist for alleged conspiracy, breach of trust, and money laundering by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
According to the document, if Bello is seen at any entry or exit point, he should be apprehended and referred for further investigation.
The EFCC had declared Bello wanted for money laundering the sum of N80,246,470,088.88, as announced in a notice on the commission’s official Facebook page on Thursday.
The notice specified the allegations against Bello and requested anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the Commission.
Bello failed to appear before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja for his arraignment by the EFCC on Thursday.
He was arraigned in absentia alongside three other suspects on charges of money laundering.
Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, reportedly helped Bello evade arrest by EFCC operatives, as previously reported by NewsNow.
Heavy security was observed during Ododo’s visit to Bello’s residence, after which Bello departed with the governor’s escort, prompting the retreat of EFCC operatives from the scene.
Subsequent to the departure of the law enforcement agencies, a statement from the EFCC highlighted the resistance faced in executing the warrant of arrest against Bello.
The EFCC, as a responsible law enforcement agency, demonstrated restraint in the face of provocation by waiting for Bello’s arraignment on Thursday, April 18, 2024. It is crucial to emphasize that Bello is not exempt from the law and will be brought to justice promptly.
In a statement on Thursday, Yahaya Bello’s media office accused the EFCC of persecution, alleging that the anti-graft agency had filed identical charges in three different courts.
The statement from Bello’s media office highlighted ongoing persecution by the EFCC, citing repeated attempts to tarnish the former Governor’s image. The accusations were deemed a desperate political witch-hunt.
The statement further criticized the EFCC for duplicating charges and pursuing frivolous allegations, portraying the entire ordeal as a biased pursuit of the former governor.
Concerns were raised about the misuse of court processes and prosecutorial powers by the EFCC, potentially leading to political persecution rather than fair prosecution.
The media office urged the President to address the abuse of power within the EFCC, highlighting the dangers of allowing political motivations to drive legal actions against individuals.
Ododo’s Potential Absence from Ondo APC Primary Election
Reports suggest that Ododo may not attend the Ondo State governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress as originally pledged.
Despite being appointed to lead the Primary Election Committee, Ododo was notably absent from Friday’s oath-taking ceremony due to reported security challenges.
His deputy, Salifu Oyibo, explained the absence, attributing it to security concerns, while affirming Ododo’s commitment to the assignment in Ondo State.
However, there are indications that Ododo might boycott the election due to the same security issues, causing potential disruption to the primary process.
Wale Akinterinwa, a governorship aspirant, expressed confidence in Ododo’s integrity, hoping for a fair and transparent primary despite uncertainties surrounding Ododo’s participation.
Call for Ododo’s Suspension by APC Chieftain
Salihu Usman, a former National Vice Chairman of the APC, called for Ododo’s suspension based on allegations of shielding his predecessor from EFCC scrutiny, labeling the action as impeachable.
Usman emphasized the importance of accountability, urging that Bello must address the allegations brought against him without interference.
He stressed the need for a transparent investigation without political influence, suggesting that Ododo’s actions could constitute grounds for suspension from the party.
- Additional reports by: Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis, Godfrey George, Daniel Ayantoye, and Deborah Musa