The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has requested INTERPOL to place former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on its watchlist in three North African countries—Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria—alongside Egypt, Libya, and Sudan.
This move, reported by The Nation, follows credible intelligence gathered by the EFCC.
Sources within the anti-graft agency revealed that several measures are being considered to address the situation involving Bello, including the possibility of apprehending him at the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja, where he is believed to be hiding.
The decision to place Bello on the watchlist was made ahead of his expected appearance before a Federal High Court in Abuja on July 17th.
An EFCC source stated, “Ahead of the next hearing of the case, EFCC has activated many options, including taking a concrete action to watch-list Bello in North Africa. We are determined to stop him from going on exile.”
The source further disclosed that EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, recently visited Tunisia where he addressed a session on illicit financial flows and held discussions with INTERPOL heads in North Africa regarding intelligence on Bello. Following these discussions, INTERPOL agreed to place Bello on Red Alert in all North African countries, effective immediately.
“We took this step because we suspect that he had been delaying his availability for arraignment,” the EFCC source added.
“We expect Bello to be in court to prove his innocence. EFCC has to do its work to avoid a bad precedent.”
