The media office of Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi state, announces that he has honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Via a statement released on Wednesday, Ohiare Michael, director of Bello’s media office, said Bello “today, honoured the invitation” of the anti-graft agency.
The media director also said disclosed that Bello made the decision “after due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies”.
The EFCC had charged the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain with alleged money laundering, breach of trust, as well as the misappropriation of N80.2 billion.
The anti-graft agency declared Bello wanted after several attempts to arrest him proved abortive.
On the 20th of August, the court of appeal in Abuja ordered the former governor to surrender himself for arraignment.
The spokesperson of EFCC, Dele Oyewale, had said the court’s ruling was a “vindication” of the commission’s position that Bello must face trial.
Bello’s media office stated that the former Kogi governor who has “great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had, all the while, only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process”.
“The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing,” the statement reads.
“It is important for the former Governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.
“The former Governor believes firmly in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development; and supports the fight against corruption in the country.
“It is on record that he was the first Governor of Kogi State to put in place an anti-corruption mechanism to check graft and ensure that the resources of the State work for the people of the State.
“He was accompanied to the EFCC Headquarters by high-profile Nigerians.
“It is our hope that the Commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Conclusively, the media office said that details of Bello’s engagement with EFCC operatives will be made public later.