By Gbemisola Adedayo, Abuja
Barring unforeseen circumstances in the next few days, the former governor of kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello will surrender to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC before the court sitting next week for alleged N82.3 billion money laundering case during his tenure as Governor of the State.
It was revealed that the highly distressed Bello will do that on Monday April 22nd 2024, to allow him have his date in court the following day, barely 24 hours after the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, withdrew all police officers attached to the embattled ex- Governor.
According to a reliable source, the Minister of Federal Capital Terrority, Mr. Nyesom Wike has intervened on his behalf for a soft-landing for Bello who was placed on watchlist by the Nigerian Immigration Service.
This was after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared him wanted in connection to an alleged case of money laundering case in which the Nigeria Service, NIS, had placed Bello on its watchlist in connection with the case of fraud after he evaded arrest by EFCC operatives few days ago.
The police document with reference number: “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/ 34 read in part, “IG has ordered the withdrawal of all policemen attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
“Acknowledge compliance and treat with utmost importance. Please, above, for your information and strict compliance”, the police said.
The move will pave the way for him to present himself before the anti-graft agency to answer the allegation of financial impropriety levelled against him.
The source further disclosed that the embattled former governor had taken refuge in the residence of a federal lawmaker in Lokoja, the State Capital.
It was learnt that Bello’s handlers reached out to Wike immediately after he was declared wanted having discovered that the Anti-graft agent was taking the joke beyond the elbow.
The Minister was said to have gone to specify the presidency to soft-pedal on Governor Yahaya Bello so that he could persuade him to surrender himself to the EFCC.
The supporters of the embattled former governor who were demoralized by the recent embarrassment melted on their leader by the EFCC were not gradually reconvening to follow him to Abuja by next week.
One of the die-hard supporters whose name was simply given as Aliyu Mudi, immediately after peace was allegedly brokered between Bello and the presidency by the FCT Minister, came to break what he called a heart-warming news to his people at Angwan Guran Community in Lokoja.
The former Governor’s circle of political friends in Abuja and Kogi State are seriously rallying around some prominent politicians across the country to save him from the impending doom.
Wife of a former President who was alleged to be the major benefactor of former Governor Yahaya Bella’s administration has now reportedly reached out to power brokers in the presidency to temper justice with mercy by giving the disgraced former governor a soft landing and appearing in the court.
The source said if Bello escaped from the EFCC hammer, he may be forced to enter plea bargaining with the federal government to refund some money.
He said the evidence presented against Yahaya Bello was too weighty and if the EFCC decides to pursue it many heads in the administration of the one-time president will go down as Kogi was used as a cash cow by many of them.
“All this money you are hearing was looted by some bigwigs in the past APC Government in the Country. It is a shame that those who come with anti-corruption mantra threw Kogi State into a mess through the boy they installed as Governor “, the source lamented.
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