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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has threatened to use the military to move the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, out of his hiding place.
The anti-graft agency and Bello have been playing hide and seek game in the last few weeks.
EFCC operatives had laid siege to Bello’s Abuja residence on Wednesday in order to arrest him, but couldn’t do owing to some external forces.
According to reports, the former governor may be hiding in Kogi State Government House under Governor Usman Ododo, his successor, who is covered with immunity under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
EFCC has been trying to arrest Bello over N80.2bn money laundering allegation while in office as governor.
Bello was scheduled to be arraigned in court on Thursday, but the planned arraignment could not take place due to his absence.
During proceedings on Thursday, Counsel to EFCC, Mr Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), told the court that the commission will drag Bello before the it to face his trial, eve if it means engaging the military to get him.
“We may have to invite the military to move Yahaya Bello out of where he is hiding.
“We may have to engage the military to force him out because immunity does not cover him where he is hiding.
“No one is above the law. Immunity covers only the governor and not everyone around him,” he said.