Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello is expected to meet with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja in the coming days to address allegations of fraud, according to reports on Wednesday.
An EFCC insider revealed that Bello, previously considered a fugitive, is now willing to cooperate with the agency and respond to its invitation. “We are expecting him to submit himself any time from now. His people reached out to us saying he is now ready to honour our invitation,” the source, who wished to remain anonymous, stated.
Bello faces a 16-count charge of money laundering involving N110,446,470,89.00. Since April, he has avoided arrest after EFCC officials failed to apprehend him at his Abuja residence.
In response to Bello’s repeated absences from court, Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, issued a hearing notice to ensure his appearance. The notice was pasted at his residence on No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, and on the court’s notice board. Although the summons expired on November 17, the EFCC sought an adjournment to allow Bello additional time to respond. The public summons had initially granted him 30 days to appear.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court recently ruled against a lawsuit filed by the Kogi State Government challenging the legality of the EFCC. On Friday, the apex court determined that the EFCC Act does not require ratification by State Houses of Assembly, as it is a convention rather than a treaty.
The lawsuit, filed under case number SC/CV/178/2023, was initiated by Kogi State and supported by Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross River, Niger, Adamawa, Ebonyi, and Taraba states. The plaintiffs argued that the EFCC Act, enacted in 2004, violated Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the consent of a majority of State Houses of Assembly for such legislation.
The states contended that the EFCC Act was unconstitutional because it had not secured this approval. They further argued that the law could not be enforced in states that did not give their consent. The plaintiffs requested that the court declare the EFCC Act illegal.
However, the Supreme Court dismissed the case, ruling that the EFCC Act is valid and enforceable nationwide. This decision reaffirms the EFCC’s authority to operate across all 36 states without requiring additional legislative approvals.
With the Supreme Court’s decision settled, Yahaya Bello’s forthcoming engagement with the EFCC marks a critical step in resolving the allegations and legal challenges surrounding his tenure as Kogi State governor.
