Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission following his arrest on Tuesday over allegations of misappropriating ₦110 billion during his tenure.
Bello, accompanied by his legal team, voluntarily arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where he was subsequently detained for questioning.
Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, confirmed the development. “It is true that we have him in our custody. The operatives of the Commission arrested him,” Oyewale said.
Bello’s detention coincides with the filing of a 16-count charge against him by the federal government at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges allege criminal breach of trust and financial misconduct amounting to ₦110,446,470,089.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that Bello arrived at the EFCC office in a black Hilux vehicle, accompanied by his lawyers. He is currently undergoing interrogation by EFCC operatives in connection with the allegations.
The arrest has sparked heightened public attention on Bello’s financial management while in office. Advocacy groups and legal experts have described the case as a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
Calls for accountability have intensified, with many viewing this case as a test of the government’s resolve to address financial impropriety by public officials.
