A source close to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), revealed that the agency turned back Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State from its Abuja office because of how he honoured their invitation.
Recall that the EFCC had invited Bello, however, the former Kogi State governor refused to honour the invitation leading to his being declared wanted by the agency for the misappropriation of state funds to the tune of N80 billion.
A statement credited to the media office of the ex-governor said that he visited the commission on Wednesday, September 18, but was not questioned before leaving the commission’s office. However, a counter statement by the EFCC noted that Bello was not in their custody and remains a wanted man.
The Nation has now reported that a source in the commission who doesn’t want his name mentioned said that the Chairman of the Commission, Olanipekun Olukoyede rejected the method by which Bello surrendered himself as it breached the protocols of the commission.
‘’Upon realising that Bello came with the governor and some dignitaries, the Executive Chairman directed that no official should attend to him. His manner of coming to EFCC was a breach of our protocol. No Nigerian, no matter how highly placed, is expected to come for an invitation in a convoy of vehicles and with a sitting governor.
“To the EFCC, he came with grandeur which is contrary to our procedures. There are stages of documentation which Bello skipped because he was with the governor who has immunity.
“The EFCC also did not invite the governor. So, what was the basis for accompanying Bello to our headquarters in Abuja?
“We have not been comfortable with the roles of the governor in this case. After fulfilling all procedures of documentation, Bello was expected to come with his lawyer(s) and not a governor or Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).
“We cannot be intimidated or subject our system to political pollution. This made the Executive Chairman of EFCC to direct that no official should attend to Bello. He must undergo due process like every invitee.
“The commission was unhappy with the pre-emptive propaganda in the media by Bello’s team which had created false impressions.
“There was a narration that the ex-governor was already in EFCC’s custody.”
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