The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared its determination to arrest the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
According to the commission, it plans to bring him to the Federal High Court in Abuja to face charges against him, News About Nigeria reports.
This declaration follows Bello’s lawyer, Abdulwahab Muhammed, refusing to accept legal documents on behalf of his client, who, according to reports, is currently evading the EFCC.
The EFCC, speaking through its legal team led by Kemi Pinheiro, said it is bent on executing the arrest warrant against the ex-governor, even if it requires the use of force.
He said, “We have to arraign him in court even if we have to use the military. Immunity is only attached to a person, not the building.
“The law allows us to break down walls to arrest an evading defendant. Section 284 says all persons are to obey the service of charge.”
Officials from the anti-corruption agency besieged the former Kogi governor’s residence in Wuse Zone 4 on Wednesday, hoping to apprehend him on corruption charges.
Despite the blockade, his successor, Governor Ododo, arrived to support him, eventually departing with the ex-governor.
Bello was governor of Kogi from January 27, 2016, to January 27, 2024, after which he handed over to Ododo, a fellow party man in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
After the arrest, conflicting court orders emerged, with one from a Kogi State High Court in Lokoja preventing the EFCC from arresting him, while another from the Federal High Court in Abuja authorised the arrest for his impending arraignment.
