In a dramatic turn of events, the Nigeria Police Force has apprehended a female police officer who served as the aide-de-camp (ADC) to former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. This arrest, alongside several other police officers attached to the 48-year-old Bello, comes amidst mounting scrutiny from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which sought to apprehend him over alleged financial misconduct.
Reports indicate that the officers are currently held at the State Criminal Investigation Department in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The move follows a directive from Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, ordering the immediate withdrawal of police personnel assigned to Bello.
Senior police sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, suggest that the detained officers are suspected of aiding Bello’s evasion of EFCC operatives seeking his arrest. This suspicion arises from an incident where EFCC agents attempted to apprehend Bello at his Abuja residence, only to find him absent, allegedly with the assistance of his police detail.
The unfolding saga underscores the escalating legal woes facing Bello, who was recently placed on a watch list by the Federal Government for alleged conspiracy, breach of trust, and money laundering. This development stems from an ongoing EFCC investigation into Bello’s purported laundering of a staggering sum totaling billions of Naira.
Efforts by the EFCC to bring Bello to justice have been met with resistance, with the former governor failing to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja as scheduled. The EFCC accuses Bello of evading arrest with the help of current Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, who allegedly facilitated his escape from EFCC operatives.
In response to the allegations, Bello’s media office has denounced the EFCC’s actions as political persecution, accusing the agency of filing duplicate charges across multiple courts. The statement from Bello’s camp portrays the legal proceedings as a calculated attempt to tarnish his reputation and undermine his contributions to governance in Kogi State.
As the controversy surrounding Bello continues to unfold, questions linger regarding the extent of his involvement in the alleged financial misconduct and the implications for Nigeria’s political landscape. With tensions running high and legal battles intensifying, the case of Yahaya Bello serves as a stark reminder of the complexities inherent in the intersection of power, politics, and law enforcement.
