Ortom Sends Strong Warning To Wanted Yahaya Bello Over N80.2Billion Fraud
The former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has advised the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello to come out of hiding and surrender himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Communities (EFCC).
Ortom advised Bello to surrender himself to the anti-graft agency on Sunday during a thanksgiving service organised by his former appointees to mark his 63rd birthday at the regional headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Makurdi.
The EFCC had filed 19 criminal counts bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80.246 billion before a Federal High Court in Abuja against the former governor and others.
According to Ortom, it is improper for the former governor to go into hiding when invited by the anti-graft agency to clarify issues bordering on his tenure as governor.
He noted that the act of evading the invitation of the anti-graft agency and trying to flee would bring shame and disgrace to former governors.
Ortom said, “Let me use this opportunity to advise my younger brother and friend, former governor Yahaya Bello not to disgrace former governors.
“If you are called to come and account for your stewardship by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), go there.
“You do not need to hide from EFCC, you do not need to resist arrest or anything. Go there and explain. EFCC are human beings who are doing their work.
“If they are making inquiries, the laws are there. I have tried to get him on the phone, I could not, I tried those around him, I could not. I want him to note, wherever he is, if he can hear me from there, he should go before the EFCC.”
The former governor who lauded his former appointees for celebrating him at 63 said, “I did not know that I am still being appreciated after leaving office. This gesture may make me come out of my hibernation.”
He said being in power as governor for eight years was not an easy task given the “challenges and restrictions imposed on you and those who wanted to see you, while in power, by security details”.
He said, “You live like a prisoner, you are restricted and many people you would want to see, you are unable to see them while those that want to see you will not be able to see you because of the security restriction.”
“And some will hate you thinking it was deliberate,” he added.
“I know that it is not everything I did that favoured everyone and it was not everything I did that favoured me also, that is the fact.
“That is why I always encourage every one of us to pray for leaders, pray for our President, governors, political office holders and others including the clergy.
“We are all prone to make mistakes as human beings because we are not perfect, prayer is very important,” he said.
Ibom Focus had reported on how Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State sneaked his predecessor and political godfather, Yahaya Bello out of his Abuja residence.
EFCC operatives had laid siege to Bello’s house to arrest him.
But the Kogi governor prevented the EFCC personnel from arresting the embattled former governor, Bello. Ododo subsequently whisked Bello out of the area in his official vehicle.
However, the Commission in a statement on the issue, said it would no longer tolerate obstruction during its operations.
It said the warning was necessary due to the increasing tendency of some persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to “take the law into their own hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC”.
In another statement, the agency said, “The Commission’s attempt to execute the Warrant of Arrest lawfully obtained against Bello met stiff resistance on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
“The security cordon around the former governor’s residence in Abuja was breached by the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo who ensured that the suspect was spirited away in his official vehicle.
“As a responsible law enforcement agency, the EFCC exercised restraint in the face of the provocation, waiting for his arraignment on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
“It is needful to state that Bello is not above the law and would be brought to justice as soon as possible.”
