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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked INTERPOL in three North African countries—Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria—to watch-list former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, it was learnt at the weekend.
The decision by the EFCC was based on credible intelligence.
Other countries where the ex-governor is put on the watch-list are Egypt, Libya, and Sudan.
Sources in the anti-graft agency said many options are on the table for dealing with the Bello situation, which include but are not limited to storming the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja, where the ex-governor is believed to be hiding.
The watch-list was activated ahead of the July 17 expected appearance of the former governor before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Bello is facing a 19-count charge for alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds of about N80.2 billion.
Although the ex-governor has denied the allegations, he has consistently failed to appear before the trial Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, on June 13 and June 27.
At the last hearing, he filed an application for the transfer of his trial to the Federal High Court, Lokoja.
Speaking on the situation, the EFCC source said: “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 into exile.
“From Singapore, the EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, was in Tunisia where he delivered a paper at a session on illicit financial flows. Thereafter, he had a meeting with all the Heads of INTERPOL in North Africa on the intelligence on the ex-governor.
“He formally asked INTERPOL to place Bello on Red Alert in all North African countries and it was accepted.
“The watch-list has taken immediate effect. He will be arrested in any part of North Africa.
“We took this step because we are suspecting that he had been biding time not to be available for arraignment.
“We expect Bello to be in court to prove his innocence. EFCC has to do its work to avoid a bad precedent.”
At the last hearing, Bello’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), applied to withdraw his appearance for his client.
But Adedipe drew the court’s attention to an application before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for the transfer of charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 to the Federal High Court, Lokoja.
He said the application was pursuant to Section 45 of the Federal High Court Establishment Act.
Source: The Nation
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