Yahaya Bello’s deal with EFCC falls apart as attempt to surrender turns chaotic

A “soft landing” deal negotiated for Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, with Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ended in chaos on Wednesday, leaving both sides embroiled in a dispute over what went wrong.

The deal, orchestrated by Bello’s successor, Governor Usman Ododo, was meant to settle an ongoing investigation into allegations of misappropriated state funds by allowing Bello to return some of the money in exchange for leniency.

However, the events at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja suggest a major breakdown in communication and process.

According to insiders, Ododo had brokered the deal with senior members of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, under which Bello would voluntarily submit to the EFCC after months of being in hiding.

Bello was expected to face charges but for lesser offenses, provided he returned some of the state funds traced to him. Confident that the agreement was solid, Ododo brought Bello to Abuja from Lokoja on Tuesday, intending to finalize the process.

READ ALSO: HURIWA blasts EFCC over mishandling of Yahaya Bello’s case

Upon arrival at the EFCC headquarters early Wednesday morning, Ododo reportedly used his immunity as a sitting governor to bypass formalities, announcing that Bello was there to honor the commission’s invitation.

This should have marked the conclusion of the long-running standoff, during which Interpol issued a Red Notice against Bello after he was declared wanted by Nigerian authorities following his exit from office in January 2024.

However, when Ododo contacted Michael Nzekwe, chief of staff to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukayode, to announce their arrival, things took an unexpected turn. Nzekwe informed the governor that the EFCC chairman was not available and that the commission was unaware of their visit. The entourage was told to leave, with assurances that they would be contacted once the chairman returned.

Failed Attempt to Settle the Dispute:

Ododo and Bello’s team spent four hours waiting at the EFCC premises before eventually leaving, frustrated by what they saw as the commission’s unwillingness to engage. Bello’s aides were quick to issue a press statement, claiming that the former governor had “honored the EFCC invitation,” though the situation was far from resolved.

Bello’s associates accused the EFCC of deliberately turning him away to orchestrate a dramatic arrest.

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“They declared him wanted, but when he voluntarily presented himself, they turned him back. They wanted the spectacle of handcuffing him in front of cameras,” said one of Bello’s close associates.

The entourage also alleged that later that night, EFCC operatives visited the Kogi Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, firing gunshots in an attempt to arrest Bello by force. “Bello has always feared for his life, and this shooting confirms his suspicion,” his associate added, accusing the EFCC of wanting to harm the former governor.

EFCC’s Version of Events:

The EFCC provided a different account of what transpired. According to an insider within the commission, the entourage breached established protocols for processing suspects.

READ ALSO: Yahaya Bello negotiates safety, honours EFCC invitation

“There are protocols to follow when someone is brought in for interrogation. The governor used his status to bypass these processes, hoping to intimidate the commission into accepting Bello under his own terms,” the source explained.

EFCC insiders denied the claim that the commission was uninterested in Bello’s surrender, clarifying that he was asked to leave because the proper steps were not followed.

“Ododo wanted to be present during the interrogation, which goes against our procedures. That’s why we asked them to return with only Bello and his lawyers,” the insider said. The viral photograph of Bello and Ododo arriving at the EFCC, which breached the agency’s ban on photography within its premises, reportedly angered the EFCC’s leadership.

Later that day, Chairman Olukayode sent Nzekwe to personally invite Bello back to the EFCC for processing. Nzekwe visited the Kogi Governor’s Lodge to deliver the message, but by that time, tensions had escalated.

The following day, Bello’s media office claimed that EFCC operatives arrived at the lodge the previous night, firing gunshots and attempting to arrest the former governor.

EFCC officials countered that Ododo’s security detail fired first when they saw EFCC vehicles approaching, prompting the operatives to respond in kind. In the midst of the commotion, Bello managed to escape from the lodge and has since left Abuja, eluding the EFCC once again.

As the dust settles, the outcome of this botched surrender attempt has left many questions unanswered. Bello, once thought to be on the verge of a plea deal, is now back on the run, while the EFCC faces criticism for allegedly mishandling the situation.

READ ALSO: Yahaya Bello negotiates safety, honours EFCC invitation

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Political analyst Dr. Chinedu Onyekwere remarked, “This debacle highlights the complexities of negotiating legal deals in Nigeria’s political landscape. The EFCC is under pressure to maintain its independence, but deals like this can create tension between political figures and law enforcement agencies. It’s clear that there was a breakdown in trust between the parties involved.”

Another legal expert, Barrister Funmi Adegoke, criticized the approach taken by Ododo and Bello, stating, “You cannot circumvent due process by using political influence. The EFCC has clear protocols, and trying to bypass them with a show of power only undermines the legal process. This situation could have been handled better by all sides.”

For now, Bello remains a fugitive, and Nigerians are left wondering how the saga will unfold. With the former governor out of sight and the EFCC under scrutiny, this complex legal and political drama is far from over.