The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday alleged that some powerful Nigerian politicians are shielding the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who was accused of N80.2bn fraud.
Recall that the anti-graft agency had declared Yahaya Bello wanted following his inability to honor its invitation.
He was declared wanted after a failed attempt to arrest him and his repeated absence from court for arraignment.
The Nigerian Immigration Service also placed the former governor on a watchlist.
When asked why the EFCC had yet to arrest Bello weeks after he was declared wanted, an EFCC official claimed that the ex-governor was being shielded by the system.
“That politically-exposed Yahaya Bello, whose crime has been traced to him by allegation and has been invited by the EFCC to come and explain, and for months he is acting drama and we are all here wanting to ask questions! The shame is our own shame!
“Can’t we catch him? We can, but do we go all out to catch him? Do we need to do that when he has his masters? Can’t they call him and tell him, ‘You are disgracing Nigeria’? What are you telling the world? Tell him to go and explain himself like others have done.
“Where are the ministers? Where are Yahaya Bello’s colleagues, even in his hiding? So, Nigerians can’t tell him ‘This is not fair, go and report; they are not going to kill you’? But people are still eating and dining with him.”
Bello is, however, expected to submit himself to the court today.