Amidst a heavy security crackdown on the Abuja home of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, the incumbent Governor, Usman Ododo, paid a visit to Bello on Wednesday afternoon.
Accompanied by a contingent of security operatives and youth supporters protesting the siege on Bello’s residence, Governor Ododo arrived at Bello’s home around 2:30 pm.
Picture from the scene
The scene at Bello’s residence was marked by a significant presence of armed personnel from various security agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the police, the Department of State Security (DSS), the Counter Terrorism Unit, and Bello’s private security team.
Earlier in the day, EFCC operatives had stormed Bello’s Abuja residence in Wuse Zone 4, but the reason behind the siege remains unconfirmed, as EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale did not respond to inquiries.
In March 2024, the EFCC had filed an amended charge against Yahaya Bello, his nephew Ali, Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu over an alleged N84 billion money laundering scheme, adding to the ongoing legal challenges faced by Bello.
Responding to the siege, Bello’s media office condemned the EFCC’s actions, citing an injunction granted by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division, restraining the commission from harassing, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting Bello pending the determination of his fundamental rights enforcement action.
They called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and caution the EFCC.
