EFCC raids Yahaya Bello’s house over money laundry

Former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State Abuja residence was besieged by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday morning. The house, located on Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, was cordoned off by officials of the EFCC, causing vehicular traffic on the street. Yahaya Bello, his nephew Ali, one Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu have been having issues with the EFCC on allegations of money laundering amounting to N84 billion. The case is before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja. 

The media aide of the former governor, has however, condemned the actions of the EFCC. In a statement, the aide said the presence of the EFCC operatives in Bello’s residence negated the order of injunction granted on February 9, 2024, by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division, in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Yahaya Bello and EFCC. The statement said the court had restrained the commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting him, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.

“The EFCC was duly served with that order on February 12, 2024, and on February 26, 2024, the EFCC filed an appeal (Appeal No.: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission v. Alhaji Yahaya Bello) against the said order to the Court of Appeal Abuja Division. “The appeal was accompanied by a Motion for a Stay of Execution of the order of the High Court, which the Court of Appeal adjourned for hearing till April 22, 2024,” the statement read