The media office of Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, has expressed concern over the presence of armed Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officers at his Abuja residence. This follows a reported siege by EFCC operatives on Wednesday, April 17, at Bello's house located at 9, Bengazi Street in Zone 4 of Abuja's Wuse District. A video shared on AIT's X handle showed the operatives blocking access roads, causing traffic in the area.
In a statement, Bello's media team stated that the EFCC's actions were illegal, as there was a subsisting injunction granted by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division, on February 9. The court order restrained the EFCC from harassing, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting Bello pending the hearing of a fundamental rights enforcement action. The EFCC was served with the order on February 12, and on February 26, they filed an appeal against it at the Court of Appeal, Abuja division.
The statement highlighted the EFCC's arrival at Bello's residence around 9:30 am on April 17 to effect his arrest, despite the existing court order. It noted that the Appeal Court was set to hear the EFCC's motion for a stay of execution of the High Court's order on April 22. The media office criticized the EFCC's actions, describing them as a disregard for the rule of law and an abuse of power.
The media team also expressed concern over what they perceived as the EFCC's desperation to harass Bello with spurious allegations, dating back to September 2015. They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and ensure that the EFCC respects the rule of law.
