N80.2 billion fraud: Why EFCC, Police Cannot Arrest Yahaya Bello – Presidency

• Recall that Bello, in a case instituted against him by the EFCC, is standing trial for fraud and money laundering to the N80.2 billion.

The Presidency has weighed in on former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) imbroglio.

Recall that Bello, in a case instituted against him by the EFCC, is standing trial for fraud and money laundering to the N80.2 billion.

He has, however, refused to show up in court on different occasions for his arraignment as his successor and the incumbent state governor, Usman Ododo, shielded him from arrest.

Speaking on the matter, the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed why Bello has not been arrested.

He stated that security agencies have not been able to arrest embattled former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello because of the “complicated” nature of the case.

He made this known when he appeared on Channels Television’s Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Sunday.

Onanuga stated that it is difficult to arrest Yahaya Bello because of the immunity enjoyed by Ododo who is believed to be shielding the former governor.

He said: “I think it’s a bit complicated. The EFCC is an agency of the Federal Government, and it wants to arrest Yahaya Bello. Yahaya Bello is hiding under the agbada (flowing robe) of the governor of Kogi State, his (Bello’s) successor, who happens to enjoy immunity.

“That’s the problem because if he (Bello) stays inside Governor Ododo’s house, the police cannot do anything because they will be violating that immunity that the man enjoys.

“It’s like a diplomat enjoying certain immunity, you cannot do anything about it. You remember in the UK when they were looking for the Wikileaks man and he went to hide in one embassy in Britain, there was nothing they (security agents) could do, they left him there. I think he later came out and they arrested him.

“It’s the same thing. Ododo enjoys immunity. Yahaya Bello is believed to be hiding there. They cannot storm the place and say they want to arrest him. That’s the problem of the EFCC, and the police cannot help the EFCC.