N80.2b Fraud: Why we didn’t interrogate Bello when he came to our office – EFCC

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11 hours ago

September 19, 2024

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed that the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello indeed showed up at its office but was not interrogated.

Bello is being wanted by the EFCC over alleged N80.2 billion fraud.

After five months of running, he finally showed up at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters, ready for questioning.

The EFCC, however, rejected the method by which he reported to the commission because he was with accompanied by his successor, Usman Ododo and other dignitaries.

According to the anti-graft agency, this method violated its invitation protocol.

Despite Bello’s presence, EFCC did not attend to him.

A source told The Nation: “Upon realising that Bello came with the governor and some dignitaries, the Executive Chairman directed that no official should attend to him.

“His manner of coming to EFCC was a breach of our protocol. No Nigerian, no matter how highly placed, is expected to come for an invitation in a convoy of vehicles and with a sitting governor.

“To the EFCC, he came with grandeur which is contrary to our procedures.

“There are stages of documentation which Bello skipped because he was with the governor who has immunity.

“The EFCC also did not invite the governor. So, what was the basis for accompanying Bello to our headquarters in Abuja?

“We have not been comfortable with the roles of the governor in this case.

“After fulfilling all procedures of documentation, Bello was expected to come with his lawyer(s) and not a governor or Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).

“We cannot be intimidated or subject our system to political pollution.

“This made the Executive Chairman of EFCC to direct that no official should attend to Bello. He must undergo due process like every invitee.

“The commission was unhappy with the pre-emptive propaganda in the media by Bello’s team which had created false impressions.

“There was a narration that the ex-governor was already in EFCC’s custody but he’s not here. He’s still being wanted.

“As long as Bello does not conform with our protocol, our operatives will arrest him. We are still looking for him.”

On Wednesday night, EFCC operatives reportedly laid siege to the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to arrest Bello, while shooting sporadically.

“We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him,” Bello’s media office said.

Police arrest ‘Boko Haram’s weapon instructor’, recover ammunition

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53 mins ago

September 19, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says its operatives have arrested Taimako Mato, a suspected weapon handling instructor for the Boko Haram terrorist group, and four others for alleged gunrunning.

The four other suspects are John Danladi, Mohammed Munkail, Manasseh William, and Muhammadu Haddi.
In a statement on Tuesday, Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, said the suspects are members of a gunrunning syndicate operating in Bauchi and Plateau states.

EVENTS

FORCE REORGANIZATION: IGP ORDERS REDEPLOYMENT OF CPs RIVERS, DELTA, FCT.

Published

1 hour ago

September 19, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

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Charging officers to curb insecurity, misconduct.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD., NPM., in an effort to strategically emplace a Police Force well efficient for effective policing, has ordered the immediate redeployment of the Commissioners of Police of Rivers State Command, Delta State Command and the Federal Capital territory.

Ekwutosblog reports that the order covers the redeployment of the CP Rivers State Command, CP Olatunji Disu as the new CP FCT; CP Delta State Command, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi as the new CP Rivers State Command and CP FCT, CP Peter Opara as the new CP Delta State.

In addition, following the approval of the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police has also deployed four (4) CPs as Commissioners of Police for Abia, Lagos, Ebonyi, and Akwa-Ibom State Commands. The deployment includes the posting of CP Danladi Nda to Abia State Command; CP Olanrewaju Ishola Olawale to Lagos State Command; CP Anthonia Adaku Uche-Anya, fdc to Ebonyi State Command and CP Festus Eribo to Akwa-Ibom State Command.

The posting of these strategic managers reflects the mission of the Inspector-General of Police to strategically reposition the Police Force and ensure maximum utilization of human resources available to the Force. The IGP has, however, urged the new CPs of State Commands to ensure diligence in the discharge of their lawful duties and adopt innovations that could mitigate security challenges in their respective areas of responsibilty. He further encouraged them to key into the police reform plans, which will help the progress of the Nigeria Police Force and the growth of the country in general.

This statement was made public by ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.

19TH SEPTEMBER 2024.

EVENTS

EFCC Arrests 10 Suspected Internet Fraudster in Abuja

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2 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

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The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 arrested 10 suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja.
The suspects were arrested in a pre-dawn operation at the River Park Estate in Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Items recovered from them include a Range Rover, two Lexus cars, a Toyota Camry, laptop computers and iPhones.

They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories