Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have laid siege to the Abuja residence of former Governor Yahaya Bello. 

Sources at the EFCC told Peoples Gazette that the operatives arrived at his residence in Wuse around 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

Although most officials were in uniform, a witness confirmed that both entrances to Mr Bello’s residence on Benghazi Street in Wuse Zone 4 had been blocked by EFCC vehicles and armed police officers. 

According to sources, the EFCC operatives attempted to enter the house, but Mr Bello’s security refused to grant them access.

The anti-graft spokesman, Dele Oyewale, could not be immediately reached for comments.

Mr Bello was governor of Kogi between 2016 and 2024.

During the tenure of erstwhile EFCC chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa, the former governor was accused of diverting state funds into private accounts.

However, the Kogi government accused the EFCC of trying to embarrass the state. 

According to the government, the EFCC’s investigation into a N20 billion Sterling Bank bailout loan case was met with a roadblock, and the anti-corruption agency targeted the Bello administration to deflect attention from its failure to bring the case to a successful conclusion.

The EFCC has since pressed criminal charges against Mr Bello and his nephew, Ali Bello. 

According to a statement published by the EFCC via its X account last month, the charges relate to alleged money laundering offences amounting to N84 billion. 

The EFCC has accused Mr Bello and others of misappropriation of funds, breach of trust, and money laundering and filed an amended 17-count charge against them.