The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says former governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is not in its custody and that he remains wanted.
This is contained in a statement issued by EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The commission said the former governor never reported to its office.
Oyewale, who was reacting to a report that Bello had surrendered himself to the commission, said that the report was not true.
“Media reports today that Mr Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect.
“The commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.
“Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” he said.
NewsWireNGR reports that the Director of Bello Media Office, Mr Ohiare Michael, in a statement said that Bello had honoured the EFCC invitation over alleged fraud.
Michael said that Bello made the decision to honour EFCC’s invitation after due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies.
He said that the former governor, who had great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had, all the while, only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.
“It is important for the former governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear,” he said.
The director explained that Bello was accompanied to the EFCC Headquarters by high profile Nigerians.
“It is our hope that the Commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
“The EFCC did not interrogate him. He was told that he could leave by officials of the commission.
“We don’t know what this means yet.
“He was accompanied to the commission’s office by Governor Usman Ododo,” he said.
