The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cast doubt on the intentions of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello following his recent visit to the commission’s office, labeling the appearance as little more than a publicity stunt.
Bello’s visit comes in the midst of a money laundering case, which is set for a ruling at the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 30, 2024, overseen by Justice Emeka Nwite.
EFCC officials have suggested that Bello’s public claims of cooperation are disingenuous. They pointed out that he had an opportunity to appear before Justice Nwite earlier this week but chose not to, raising further questions about his commitment to the legal process.
The commission’s previous attempt to summon Bello at the Kogi Governor’s lodge ended in refusal, a move the EFCC sees as indicative of potential evasiveness.
Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC’s Director of Public Affairs, shared these insights during an interview on Arise TV’s The Morning Show, stressing that Bello’s behavior is not typical of someone genuinely willing to engage with the commission.
Moreover, Uwujaren accused Bello’s media team of disseminating misleading information, including claims of his detention before he even arrived at the EFCC office. This narrative, he argued, has fueled unwarranted speculation across various platforms.
“It’s clear that his visit on September 18 was staged rather than a genuine effort to adhere to the rule of law,” Uwujaren stated. He emphasized that if Bello had nothing to hide, he would have complied with the EFCC’s requests, instead of orchestrating a media narrative that suggests otherwise.
This situation continues to raise eyebrows, leaving many to ponder the former governor’s true motives.
