The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has asked INTERPOL in three North African countries—Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria—to put former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on a watch-list.
This decision was based on credible intelligence. Other countries where Bello is on the watch-list include Egypt, Libya, and Sudan.
Sources in the EFCC said many options are being considered to deal with the situation, including possibly storming the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja, where Bello is believed to be hiding. The watch-list was activated ahead of Bello’s expected court appearance on July 17th at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Bello is facing 19 charges for alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds amounting to about N80.2 billion. Despite denying the allegations, Bello has failed to appear before the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, on June 13th and June 27th. At the last hearing, Bello filed an application to transfer his trial to the Federal High Court in Lokoja.
An EFCC source said, “Ahead of the next hearing of the case, EFCC has activated many options, including taking a concrete action to watch-list Bello in North Africa. We are aware of a botched exit to Morocco via Cameroon. We are determined to stop him from going on exile.”
The EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, while in Tunisia for a session on illicit financial flows, met with all the Heads of INTERPOL in North Africa. “He formally asked INTERPOL to place Bello on Red Alert in all North African countries, and it was accepted. The watch-list has taken immediate effect. He will be arrested in any part of North Africa,” the source added.
“We took this step because we suspect that he has been avoiding arraignment. We expect Bello to be in court to prove his innocence. The EFCC has to do its work to avoid setting a bad precedent,” the source said.
At the last hearing, Bello’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), applied to withdraw his appearance for his client. Adedipe also informed the court about an application for the transfer of the case to the Federal High Court in Lokoja, citing Section 45 of the Federal High Court Establishment Act.
