By Lucy Adautin
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has placed former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on its watchlist to restrict his departure from the country.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has recalled all police officers assigned to the embattled former Governor of Kogi State.
In a document dated April 18, 2024 and signed by Assistant Comptroller of Immigration DS Umar, for the Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap, the NIS alerted the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to effect the former governor’s arrest.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier declared Bello wanted in connection to an alleged case of money laundering to the tune of N80.2bn.
After a failed attempt to arrest the former Kogi State governor on Wednesday, the EFCC declared him wanted on its official Facebook page.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has also described as “insufferably disquieting”, the obstruction to the arrest of the former governor by his successor, Usman Ododo.
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The circular, copies of which were sent to the DSS and the police, contained the name, nationality and passport number of the former governor (B50083321).
Nanadap stated, “I am directed to inform you that the above-named person has been placed on the watch list.
“Suffice to mention that the subject is being prosecuted before the Federal High Court Abuja for Conspiracy, Breach of Trust and Money Laundering vide letter Ref; CR; 3000/EFCC/LS/EGCS.1/ TE/Vide/1/279 dated April 18, 2024.
“If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation or contact 08036226329/07039617304 for further action.”
The IGP’s order for the withdrawal is contained in a police wireless document with reference number: “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/ 34, which reads in part, “IG has ordered the withdrawal of all policemen attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
“Acknowledge compliance and treat with utmost importance. Please, above, for your information and strict compliance.”
‘Bello Issued Wanted Notice’
On Thursday, the EFCC declared Yahaya Bello wanted for an alleged financial crime amounting to N80.2 billion.
This declaration followed a Wednesday operation where the EFCC besieged Bello’s Abuja residence in an unsuccessful attempt to arrest him for court arraignment.
The anti-corruption agency urged individuals with pertinent information regarding the former Kogi governor’s whereabouts to contact either the commission or the police.
“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCC for offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 Billion,” the EFCC said in a Thursday evening post on its Facebook page it captioned ‘Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello Wanted By the EFCC’.
“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the Commission or the nearest police Station.”
‘Politically Motivated Persecution’
Amid the intense conflict, Bello’s Media Office accused the anti-corruption agency of unfairly targeting its leader with a witch hunt.
“Looking at the curious and endless scenarios of duplicated charges, cross-charges, counter and frivolous charges by the EFCC against former Governor Yahaya Bello, it has become crystal clear that the whole onslaught is nothing but a desperate political witch-hunt of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State,” his media office said in a statement.
