EFCC Accuses Gov. Ododo Of Aiding Yahaya Bello’s Escape – No Secret Deal In Sight!

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, of harboring his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, at the state Government House, making himself an accomplice in the process, despite his immunity as a sitting governor.

EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, made the claims during an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, accusing Bello of dodging the law by evading court orders to appear before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Uwujaren criticized Bello’s recent public appearance at the EFCC headquarters car park on September 18, labeling it a media stunt aimed at misleading the public. He claimed that even before arriving at the EFCC, Bello had already sent out media notices, falsely implying his detention at the commission.

“Before he even arrived at our car park, he had already spread the news across platforms, saying he had submitted himself to the EFCC and was detained. That was far from the truth, as he hadn’t even reached our premises when the information came out. This clearly indicated there was a hidden agenda behind his actions,” Uwujaren said.

The EFCC further alleged that Governor Ododo had been shielding Bello from arrest, going so far as to aid his escape during the commission’s first attempt to apprehend him at the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja. Uwujaren added that Ododo breached EFCC security protocols by driving directly into the commission’s car park without notifying officers about Bello’s presence.

He said, “Our review of the situation suggests that Governor Ododo, perhaps unknowingly, has made himself an accomplice to the crime. Bello has been dodging the EFCC and stalling proceedings while hiding at the Government House in Lokoja. During our initial arrest attempt, it was Governor Ododo who facilitated his escape.”

Regarding reports of a possible deal between Bello and officials in President Bola Tinubu’s administration to make a plea bargain, Uwujaren denied any such agreement, insisting that the EFCC does not engage in deal-making when it comes to high-profile cases or investigations.

“There are no deals made in investigations or prosecutions, regardless of the individual’s status,” he affirmed.

This development comes as the federal government files a new 16-count charge against Yahaya Bello, centering on allegations of a criminal breach of trust involving ₦110.4 billion.