By Uzair Adam
The media office of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has accused operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of launching a raid at the Kogi Government Lodge in Asokoro on Wednesday night in an attempt to arrest the ex-governor.
According to a statement released by the Media Director of Bello’s team, Ohiare Michael, the EFCC officers allegedly fired gunshots into the air in their effort to apprehend the former governor.
“It has come to our attention that operatives suspected to be from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are currently surrounding the Kogi Government Lodge in Asokoro in an attempt to forcibly arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello,” the statement read.
The statement also added that, “They have been shooting sporadically.”
Michael also noted that Yahaya Bello had earlier visited the EFCC office voluntarily but was asked to return at a later time.
He claimed that despite this, the anti-graft agency resorted to mounting a siege at the government lodge.
“We want to make it clear that if anything happens to the former governor, the EFCC should be held responsible. This attack was unnecessary, as Governor Bello had already made himself available to the commission for interrogation earlier in the day,” Michael said.
The statement further criticized the EFCC’s actions, labeling them as politically motivated and not aligned with their mandate to fight corruption.
It was reported that the EFCC had filed a 19-count charge of money laundering against Bello before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
As of now, the EFCC has not issued an official response to the allegations.