Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello appeared at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office on Tuesday, 26th November 2024, to honor an invitation concerning allegations of misappropriation of funds during his tenure.
This marked his second visit to the agency as part of ongoing investigations. Accompanied by his legal counsel, Yahaya Adoza Bello arrived at the EFCC office in the morning hours.
This visit comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that dismissed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the EFCC’s operations.
Previously, on November 14, the EFCC had requested an adjournment in the case against Bello, citing a 30-day window for the summons that had been issued.
A brief biography of Yahaya Adoza Bello
Yahaya Adoza Bello, born on June 18, 1975, is a Nigerian businessman and politician who served as the governor of Kogi State from 2016 to 2024. A member of the All Progressives Congress, Bello was notably the youngest governor in Nigeria during his tenure.
Bello, a native of Okene, holds degrees in accounting and business administration from Ahmadu Bello University. His political journey commenced with an unsuccessful attempt to secure the APC gubernatorial nomination in 2015.
Following the death of the initial candidate, Abubakar Audu, on election day, Bello was selected as the party’s nominee and subsequently sworn in the following year.
He was reelected in 2019, defeating PDP candidate Musa Wada by a substantial margin of over 200,000 votes, amidst reports of electoral violence and fraud.
Bello’s prominence in Nigerian politics increased due to his relative youth compared to his contemporaries, as well as his contentious public statements and financial dealings.
In 2020, Victory Obasi announced funding for Bello’s presidential campaign in 2023, a bid which he officially announced on April 2, 2022. His aspirations were bolstered by the support of the Bello Ambassadors Network, a socio-political group with over two million registered members.
Yahaya Adoza Bello ₦80.2 billion Fraud
The former Governor Bello faces a 19-count indictment by the EFCC for alleged money laundering and misappropriation of ₦80.2 billion.
He has reportedly evaded capture during attempted arrests in April and September 2024, allegedly with the assistance of current Governor Usman Ododo, who utilized his immunity to shield Bello.
Yahaya Adoza Bello has appealed to the Supreme Court to contest a warrant for his arrest that was issued in April. His case was scheduled for adjournment until October 30, 2024.