Onanuga: Police cannot assist EFCC in arresting Yahaya Bello
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has stated that security agencies have been unable to arrest former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello due to the “complicated” nature of the case.
In April, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared Bello, who served as Kogi governor from May 2015 to May 2023, wanted for allegedly misappropriating N80.2 billion.
The EFCC has made several attempts to arrest Bello at his residence, but his successor, Usman Ododo, has intervened on multiple occasions, reportedly helping him evade capture by escorting him to his lodge.
The case against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been ongoing in court, but he has not appeared before the trial judge despite numerous adjournments.
When asked why police authorities cannot direct the orderlies assigned to his successor, Usman Ododo, to arrest Bello, Onanuga explained, “It’s a bit complicated. The EFCC is a federal agency seeking to arrest Yahaya Bello, who is currently hiding under the immunity provided to him as governor.”
He elaborated that as long as Bello remains within Governor Ododo’s residence, the police are unable to act without violating that immunity. “It’s similar to diplomatic immunity; there’s little that can be done in such cases,” Onanuga noted.
He drew a parallel to the situation in the UK when security agents were unable to apprehend the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, while he sought refuge in an embassy, illustrating the complexities of legal protections.
“It’s the same thing. Ododo enjoys immunity. Yahaya Bello is believed to be hiding there. They cannot storm the place and say they want to arrest him. That’s the problem of the EFCC, and the police cannot help the EFCC.”
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