For some days now, there have been altercations between the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering to the tune of over N80 billion. Yahaya Bello is just one of the people involved in the alleged deal, for which the EFCC operatives are seeking legal solution. Those who were arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite are Yahaya Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19- count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246, 470, 088.88.
One of the charges which EFCC filed before the court reads: “That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu( Still at large), sometime, in February, 2016, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80, 246,470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.”
Count 17 of the charges read: “That you Yahaya Bello between 26th July 2021 to 6th April 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court aided E-Traders International Limited to conceal the aggregate sum of N3, 081, 804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty One Million Eight Hundred and Four Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira) in account number 1451458080 domiciled in Access BankPlc, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”
Count 18 of the charges reads: “That you Yahaya Adoza Bello sometime in November 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly procured E-Traders international Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Dollars) to account number 4266644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15( 3) of the same Act.”
Of course, from the initial stages, ex Governor Yahaya Bello and Kogi State government brushed the allegation aside, describing it as a move to embarrass the former governor.
The whole thing took a dramatic turn on Wednesday, April 17, when officials of the EFCC went to the Abuja residence of the former governor to effect his arrest, ahead of the hearing in a case filed against him and others in court.
Relying on the judgment of another court stopping EFCC from arresting him, Yahaya Bello refused to be “arrested” with his police orderlies and loyalists engaging EFCC in what obviously was a battle for and against.
The incumbent Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo arrived at the residence of his predecessor in good time to drive him back to Lokoja, the Kogi State capital: probably to the government house for him to enjoy immunity that flows from the incumbent.
Yes, in all the drama that has played out so far, and from the facts available, Yahaya Bello is right to refuse to submit to EFCC, based on the judgment of a competent court of justice. Similarly, governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is right too for standing up to shield his “master” from perceived danger. Remember that Yahaya Bello singlehandedly fished him out of the lot, brushed him and made him to be elected as governor. So, he’s only just playing a “good-boy” role in the whole scenario.
If there is part of the law establishing the EFCC that cancels out court’s injunction restraining it from arresting any suspect or offender, it goes without saying therefore that the commission is also right in pursuing it’s mandate. As a way of digression, if it turns out that the commission violates or defies the court order as in the case of Yahaya Bello, it ought not to be the reason for the former governor to begin to play hide-and-seek game. After all, he can use the law to establish his case, either now or later. In other words, he could have submitted to the EFCC and simultaneously, in consultation with his lawyer, sue the commission for contempt of court.
More seriously, why would Yahaya Bello dodge EFCC as if it is some kind of diety with the power of life and death; as if he doesn’t know that most of the governors in the past were arrested for questioning immediately after their tenures? Even Nasir el-Rufai and others have at one time or the other, visited EFCC, on invitation, without much public attention.
As a matter of fact, EFCC has since made it a norm to invite, especially, immediate past Governors and their likes for questioning, one way or the other even if it is for public display, known as media trial.
Ex Governor Yahaya Bello has all the advantages to fall back on if he submits himself to the EFCC, advisedly, by himself. He should not allow a situation where he would be arrested and “terribly embarrassed” by the angry EFCC.
He needs to ask his team of lawyers where those advantages he has against the EFCC are hiding, including the latest one about him being declared wanted, as if he’s a dangerous criminal. These are the things even none professionals can gleen out.
