The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sent former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello an invitation five months ago, and according to reports that appeared on Wednesday, Bello has finally accepted.
This incident occurs at a time when Bello is dealing with significant legal issues, such as a 19-count accusation for alleged ₦80.2 billion in money laundering.
The commission’s efforts to apprehend him escalated on April 17, when operatives attempted to arrest him at his residence in Abuja but were unsuccessful. This incident prompted the EFCC to label him a wanted individual formally.
However, on Wednesday evening, the anti-graft agency clarified that it does not currently have Bello in custody, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his response to their invitation.
Alongside Bello, the EFCC has been pursuing corruption charges against 33 former governors. While some cases are still in progress, several have been dismissed, and notably, six former governors have already been convicted.
See list of governors’ names and their respective charges:
1. Murtala Nyako (Adamawa 2007 – 2014) 37-count charge of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering, ₦29 billion.
2. Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa 1999 – 2007) 149-count charge of fraud, ₦15 billion.
3. Jonah Jang (Plateau 2007 – 2015) Criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of state funds, ₦6.3 billion.
4. Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara: 2011 – 2019) 12-count charge bordering on alleged mismanagement of public funds, ₦10 billion.
5. Gbenga Daniel (Ogun 2003 – 2011) 38-count charge of stealing public funds, bribery, fraudulent conversion of public property and false declaration of assets, ₦211 million.
6. Saminu Turaki (Jigawa 1999 – 2007) 32-count charge of corruption and money laundering, ₦36 billion.
7. James Ibori (Delta 1999 – 2007) Money laundering and related offences, £50 million.
8. Lucky Igbinedion (Edo 1999 – 2007) Embezzlement of state funds, ₦2.9 billion.
9. Jolly Nyame (Taraba 1999 – 2007) Abuse of office and diversion of public funds, ₦1.64 billion.
10. Aliyu Akwe-Doma (Nasarawa 2007 – 2011) 10-count charge bordering on financial crimes, ₦8 billion.
11. Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa 2007 – 2011) 42-count charge against Sylva for allegedly stealing state fund, ₦19.2 billion.
12. Usman Dakingari (Kebbi 2007 – 2015) 13-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering, ₦450 million.
13. Ayo Fayose Ekiti (2003 – 2006; 2014 – 2018) Fraud and money laundering, ₦6.9 billion.
14. Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu 1999 – 2007) Money laundering from state treasury, ₦5.3 billion.
15. Ikedi Ohakim (Imo 2007 – 2011) Prosecuted for making a $2 million payment for land purchase, $2 million.
16. Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia 1999 – 2007) 36-count charge that included the diversion of public fund, ₦7.1 billion.
17. Gabriel Suswam (Benue 2007 – 2015) 11-count charge bordering on money laundering, ₦3.1 billion.
18. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (Bayelsa 1999 – 2005) Money laundering and corruption offences, more than $30 million.
19. Peter Odili (Rivers 1999 – 2007) Diversion of state funds, ₦100 billion.
20. Sullivian Chime (Enugu 2007 – 2015) Charged for the role he played in the spending of a campaign fund that originated from Dieziani Allison-Madueke, ₦23 billion.
21. Ibrahim Shema (Katsina 2007 – 2015) 22-count charge of criminal breach of trust, forgery and abuse of office, ₦11 billion.
22. James Ngilari (Adamawa 2007 – 2008) Violation of procurement laws in the award of a contract, ₦167 million.
23. Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo 2003 – 2006; 2006 – 2007) Fraud, ₦4.6 billion.
24. Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto: 1999 – 2007) 25-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and diversion of public funds, ₦4.6 billion.
25. Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo 2007 – 2011) 11-count charge bordering on alleged criminal conspiracy and fraudulent practices, ₦11.5 billion.
26. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero (Kaduna 2012 – 2015) Illegal disbursement of campaign funds, ₦750 million.
27. Joshua Dariye (Plateau 1999 – 2004; 2004 – 2006) Misappropriation of public funds, ₦1.1 billion.
28. Abubakar Audu (Kogi 1999 – 2003) 36-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds, ₦10 billion.
29. Danjuma Goje (Gombe 2003 – 2011) Diversion of state funds, ₦25 billion.
30. Rochas Okorocha (Imo 2011 – 2019) 17-count charges bordering on conspiracy, stealing, conversion of public funds, and money laundering, ₦3 billion.
31. Willie Obiano (Anambra 2014 – 2022) Nine-count charges bordering on money laundering, diversion of funds, stealing, and corruption, ₦4 billion.
32. Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto: 1999 – 2007) 25-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and diversion of public funds, ₦4.6 Billion.
33. Yahaya Bello (Kogi 2016-2024) Bello currently faces a 19-count alleged money laundering charge, ₦80.2 billion.
