The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has asked INTERPOL in three North African countries—Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria—to place former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on their watch-list.
This decision, based on credible intelligence, extends to Egypt, Libya, and Sudan as well.
Sources within the EFCC revealed that various strategies are being considered to address the situation, including the possibility of storming the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja, where the ex-governor is believed to be hiding.
The watch-list activation precedes Bello’s expected appearance before a Federal High Court in Abuja on July 17.
He faces a 19-count charge for alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds totaling approximately N80.2 billion.
Despite denying the allegations, Bello has repeatedly failed to appear before the trial Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, on June 13 and June 27.
Instead, he filed an application to transfer his trial to the Federal High Court in Lokoja.
An EFCC source commented on the situation: “Ahead of the next hearing of the case, EFCC has activated many options, including taking concrete action to watch-list Bello in North Africa. We are aware of a botched exit to Morocco via Cameroon. We are determined to stop him from going on exile.”
From Singapore, the EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, was in Tunisia, where he delivered a paper on illicit financial flows and subsequently met with all the Heads of INTERPOL in North Africa to discuss intelligence on the ex-governor.
He formally requested INTERPOL to place Bello on Red Alert in all North African countries, a request that was accepted and has taken immediate effect. Bello will be arrested in any part of North Africa.
The EFCC suspects that Bello has been delaying to avoid arraignment. The source concluded, “We expect Bello to be in court to prove his innocence. EFCC has to do its work to avoid setting a bad precedent.”
