The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked INTERPOL in North African countries, including Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria, to watch-list former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
This move comes as Bello faces a 19-count charge for alleged money laundering and misappropriation of N80.2 billion.
Despite denying the allegations, Bello has failed to appear in court. EFCC has also requested INTERPOL’s Red Alert in Egypt, Libya, and Sudan to prevent him from fleeing.
The watch-list was activated ahead of his expected court appearance on July 17th.
Recall that, Bello; former Kogi State, faces a 19-count charge for alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds amounting to about N80.2 billion. Although he has denied the allegations, Bello failed to appear before the trial Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, on June 13th and June 27th.
At the last hearing, he filed an application to transfer his trial to the Federal High Court in Lokoja.
An EFCC source said,
“Ahead of the next hearing, EFCC has activated many options, including watch-listing Bello in North Africa. We are aware of a failed attempt to exit to Morocco via Cameroon and are determined to stop him from going into exile.”
The EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, recently met with all the Heads of INTERPOL in North Africa and formally requested INTERPOL to place Bello on Red Alert, which was accepted.
This means he will be arrested in any part of North Africa.
