Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has voluntarily turned himself in to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja. The move comes after months of avoiding court summons linked to allegations of corruption during his tenure as governor.
Sources confirmed that Bello arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, accompanied by his private security detail. This latest development follows a history of high-profile incidents surrounding the corruption allegations.
Bello is accused of misappropriating Kogi State funds amounting to over N190 billion. Specifically, he faces charges of laundering N80 billion at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Additionally, the EFCC recently filed new charges against him, alleging he dishonestly diverted more than N110 billion from the state treasury during his eight-year tenure as governor.
In September, Bello made a controversial attempt to surrender to the EFCC while accompanied by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo. However, the EFCC declined to arrest him at the time. Later that day, an altercation reportedly occurred at the Kogi State Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, where Bello was staying under Ododo's protection. The confrontation escalated into a prolonged shootout between EFCC operatives and Bello's security team. Amid the chaos, Bello reportedly escaped in Ododo’s convoy.
This time, Bello arrived without Ododo, who was notably absent. Sources indicate that Bello may remain in EFCC custody overnight, as one of his court cases is set to be heard at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Wednesday.
The EFCC has faced challenges in bringing Bello to justice, with the former governor repeatedly failing to appear in court since April. His surrender marks a significant turn in the ongoing legal battle.
Efforts to reach EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale for comments were unsuccessful, as his phone lines were switched off. Meanwhile, Bello's case has reignited public debate about the fight against corruption in Nigeria, with many closely watching how the EFCC handles the high-profile case.
The coming days will reveal whether Bello's surrender signals cooperation with the authorities or a calculated move as the trial unfolds.