On April 18, 2024, the EFCC declared former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello wanted for an alleged ₦80.2 billion money laundering case.
In May, Bello agreed to face the charges, provided he received assurances for his safety, and committed to appearing in court on June 13. However, his lawyer later informed the court that Bello’s whereabouts were unknown and that he was avoiding authorities out of fear for his safety. As a result, Bello missed the June 13 arraignment, leading to further delays and disputes between the legal teams.
Then, on September 18, 2024, Nigerians woke up to reports that Bello had been arrested by EFCC operatives in Lokoja and was being held at the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja. Sources claimed he was trailed and arrested at midnight.
Hours later, conflicting reports emerged. A press release from Bello’s team stated that he had not been arrested but had voluntarily honoured the EFCC’s invitation after consulting with his family, legal team, and political allies. The statement emphasized that the former Governor respects the rule of law and had only sought to enforce his fundamental rights to ensure due process.
Yet, shortly after, the EFCC contradicted these reports, issuing a statement that Bello was not in their custody at all. They reaffirmed that he remains wanted and that media reports of his arrest were false.
So, which version of events should Nigerians believe? Are citizens being misled, or is this simply a case of confusion? One thing is certain—Nigeria, once again, feels like a real-life Nollywood drama.
