EFCC Chairman: If I can go after my kinsman, why not Yahaya Bello?

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has vowed to ensure that the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is probed.

On April 18, the EFCC declared Bello wanted over an alleged N80 billion financial crime.

Bello is yet to appear in court for scheduled arraignments since he was declared wanted.

Speaking with select Editors in Abuja on Tuesday, the anti-graft czar said he made a direct phone call to Bello out of respect, urging him to appear before the commission and address the charges against him.

The EFCC boss said unfortunately, the former governor declined the invitation.

Bello had denied that he was invited, daring the anti-graft agency to produce a copy of the invitation letter.

In a statement through his media office on Tuesday, Bello accused the commission of spreading lies.

But the EFCC said he would get to the root of the matter, dismissing the allegation that was being used against the former governor.

He said: “If I do not personally oversee the completion of the investigation regarding Yahaya Bello, I will tender my resignation as the chairman of the EFCC.

“I have arraigned two past governors who have been granted bail now — Willie Obiano and Abdulfatah Ahmed. We would have gone after Bello since January but we waited for the court order.

“If I can do Obiano, Abdulfatah Ahmed and Chief Olu Agunloye, my kinsman, why not Yahaya Bello?”