- Yahaya Bello faces 19 counts of money laundering, including misappropriation of about N80.2 billion in public funds
- Following failure to arrest Bello for charges, the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked the INTERPOL to place the former governor of Kogi State on a watchlist
- Nigerians are, however, pointing fingers at the EFCC for not arresting him when he was right under their nose
The former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who left office on 27 January, faces 19 counts of money laundering, including misappropriation of about N80.2 billion in public funds at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
But Bello has been evading arrest
Yahaya Bello, who has been evading arrest since March 2024, recently tried to escape to Morocco, but it failed, according to a report.
As the former governor is scheduled to appear in court on July 17th, EFCC anticipates a potential runaway after the agency received information that Yahaya Bello is arranging an escape to North Africa.
EFCC requests INTERPOL to place Bello on watchlist
The EFCC has asked the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) to place the former Kogi State Governor on a watchlist in Morocco, Sudan, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, and Algeria.
However, this has resulted in an uproar on social media, as Netizens are pointing fingers at the EFCC for not arresting him when he was right under their noses.
Netizens react to EFCC's failed attempt to capture Yahaya
“When he was everywhere making noise you couldn't arrest him, if you now want others to do the job for you, the question then is why are you still functioning?,” Dike asked on Twitter.
“Go and arrest the man the way you arrested others. What kind of excuses is this? This is shameful,” Skye added.
“They know where he is. They just they whine us,” Silva Nimi tweeted.
“But they had him in their sights or is it only busting down hotel doors they know how to do,” Mind talks also added.
“Someone that was known to be in Kogi for weeks. Clowns 🤡🤡,” Adewale ‘Damilare commented.
“So shameful of EFCC, they cannot arrest Yahaya Bello but ordinary Nigerian students cannot rest in their hostel without being harass from this people called red jacket,” Owokoniran tweeted.
“Na only to do day light robbery and break down people's business una Sabi, you will call it sting operation , Yahya Bello was at your sight and you people failed to arrest him , now you want Interpol to do your job for you, how shameful,” Adetola added.
EFCC says it will not tolerate any protest
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the EFCC raised the alarm about an impending protest planned against it, adding that it would not tolerate any disturbance of order.
The EFCC spokesman added that the commission is actively working with other security agencies to control possible unrest and maintain the peace and security of Nigerians.