Yahaya Bello Stuck In Kogi Governor’s CustodyAs EFCC Issues Global Red Notice
In a dramatic turn of events, former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello finds himself ensnared in a web of legal complexities. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared him wanted, prompting a high-stakes game of cat and mouse.
The Protective Custody Conundrum
Bello, who meticulously anointed Ahmed Usman Ododo as his successor, has sought refuge in the protective custody of the Kogi state government. Security agents, loyal to the state, shield him from the EFCC’s relentless pursuit. But this sanctuary may prove fleeting.
The Red Notice: A Global Manhunt
The EFCC has escalated matters by issuing a Red Notice—a global alert—to Interpol. Based on a federal high court’s arrest warrant in Abuja, Bello’s fate now hangs in the balance. The notice empowers law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally apprehend him pending extradition or surrender.
Bello’s Restricted Travel Options
The Red Notice casts a wide net, ensnaring Bello in its reach. He can be arrested in any country he visits—except for the unlikely destinations of Micronesia, North Korea, Palau, and Tuvalu, which are not Interpol members.
A Trail of Allegations
The saga began with allegations of an eye-watering N80 billion fraud against Bello. In April, EFCC operatives descended on his Abuja residence, only to be thwarted by Ododo’s timely intervention. The attorney-general of the federation, Lateef Fagbemi, cautioned against obstructing the EFCC’s operations.
Watchlisted and Withdrawn
The Nigeria Immigration Service promptly placed Bello on a watchlist, while police headquarters withdrew officers assigned to him. Ola Olukoyede, EFCC chairman, accused Bello of withdrawing $720,000 from Kogi’s coffers to prepay his child’s school fees—an audacious move that fueled the 19-count charge of money laundering against him.
Whereabouts Unknown
Despite the legal storm brewing, Bello remains elusive. His counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, informed the court that the former governor’s whereabouts remain a mystery, citing safety concerns.
Interpol’s Dragnet Widens
Interpol operatives in North African countries—Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria—have been enlisted to track Bello. With the Red Notice now in play, his international travels carry unprecedented risk.
As the world watches, Yahaya Bello’s fate hangs in the balance. Will he emerge unscathed from this legal quagmire, or will the global manhunt finally catch up with him? Only time—and the relentless pursuit of justice—will reveal the answer. 🌍⚖️
