The dormer Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has once again evaded arrest by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The attempted arrest on Wednesday came in relation to an alleged N80.2 billion fraud case, with operatives laying siege to the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja.
Sources within the EFCC confirmed that Bello was helped to escape by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo. Leveraging his immunity as a sitting governor, Ododo reportedly facilitated Bello's avoidance of arrest, much like a similar incident that occurred in April.
Despite the EFCC's operation, which many believed would finally lead to Bello's apprehension, the agency’s efforts were thwarted once again. After a joint visit by Bello and Ododo to the EFCC headquarters, the commission publicly denied that Bello was in custody.
EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale stated, "Yahaya Bello has not been arrested," refuting claims from Bello's media team that he had voluntarily presented himself to the commission. He further added that the immunity enjoyed by Governor Ododo hindered their operatives from acting decisively during the operation.
One EFCC official, speaking anonymously, lamented the challenges posed by such immunity in pursuing justice. "Just like in April, we were unable to detain Bello because Governor Ododo intervened. Despite having a clear operation plan, we couldn't proceed because of the legal protection he [Ododo] enjoys."
Efforts to reach Ohaire Michael, Director of Bello's media team, were unsuccessful, as his phone was switched off, and he did not respond to messages as of press time.
This ongoing evasion of arrest has sparked concerns about the limits of EFCC's powers when dealing with politically protected individuals, particularly those with influential allies. Many observers are now questioning whether this case will ever reach the courts, given the repeated interventions by powerful figures.
This latest incident has intensified the spotlight on the relationship between Bello and Ododo, raising questions about the influence of political immunity and its potential misuse to shield individuals from accountability.
