The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked INTERPOL to place Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, on a watchlist in North African countries. The countries involved include Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria.
Yahaya Bello faces serious charges, including money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of about N80.2 billion in public funds. EFCC sources told The Nation that their request to INTERPOL was based on significant evidence gathered during investigations into Bello’s financial activities and assets.
The watchlist extends beyond North Africa, covering other countries such as Egypt, Libya, and Sudan. This move comes as the former governor is scheduled to appear before a Federal High Court in Abuja on July 17th.
An EFCC official stated, “We are aware of a botched exit to Morocco via Cameroon. We are determined to stop him from going on exile.”
The source added that EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, discussed the matter with North African INTERPOL heads while in Tunisia for a session on illicit financial flows.
“He formally asked INTERPOL to place Bello on Red Alert in all North African countries, and it was accepted.”
Related Stories
- Yahaya Bello Responds to EFCC’s Allegations On $720k School Fees Payment
- EFCC Declares Yahaya Bello Wanted for Money Laundering
The EFCC is committed to ensuring Bello appears in court.
“We expect Bello to be in court to prove his innocence. EFCC has to do its work to avoid bad precedent,” the official said.
Meanwhile, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) recently filed a motion to withdraw as Bello’s legal counsel at the Federal High Court in Abuja. This move followed Bello’s failure to appear for his scheduled arraignment. The EFCC urged the court to hold Bello’s legal team accountable for his absence, as they had previously guaranteed his presence for the trial.
The EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinhero (SAN), called for sanctions against Bello’s legal representatives for their consistent failure to produce their client. Pinhero argued that the legal team violated professional conduct rules, citing Order 31(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, which states that a lawyer who fails to fulfill a court undertaking is guilty of misconduct and contempt.