The Presidency has clarified the legal and procedural challenges preventing the arrest of Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, despite ongoing efforts by security agencies. In an appearance on Channels Television’s Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Sunday, Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga explained the obstacles in apprehending Bello, primarily due to his close relationship with his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, who is constitutionally protected by immunity.
Onanuga noted that this immunity effectively shields Bello, allowing him to seek refuge under Ododo’s protection. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared Bello wanted in April for alleged involvement in an N80.2 billion financial crime. Since then, efforts to detain him have been unsuccessful, with reports suggesting that Ododo has allowed him sanctuary within the governor’s official residence.
When asked why police officials haven’t leveraged Governor Ododo’s security team to apprehend Bello, Onanuga clarified, “It’s a bit complicated. The EFCC is an agency of the Federal Government, and it wants to arrest Yahaya Bello. Yahaya Bello is hiding under the ‘agbada’ of the governor of Kogi State, his successor, who happens to enjoy immunity.”
Onanuga emphasized that while the EFCC remains committed to prosecuting Bello, the constitutional immunity granted to Ododo limits any immediate action. “That’s the problem because if he (Bello) stays inside Governor Ododo’s house, the police cannot do anything because they will be violating that immunity that the man enjoys,” he stated.
He likened the situation to the international case of a Wikileaks figure who sought protection in an embassy in the UK, highlighting similar immunity challenges. “It’s like a diplomat enjoying certain immunity; you cannot do anything about it,” he said. “Ododo enjoys immunity. Yahaya Bello is believed to be hiding there. They cannot storm the place and say they want to arrest him. That’s the problem of the EFCC, and the police cannot help the EFCC.”
Bello, who served as Kogi governor from 2016 to May 2024, has repeatedly failed to respond to court summons, missing several scheduled hearings in his case.