The Nigerian Police Force has moved to strip the embattled former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, of state protection with the immediate withdrawal of all police officers attached to him.
Bello, who has been evading arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N80 billion fraud, was declared wanted on Thursday by the anti-graft agency.
Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) yesterday dismissed the claim by the former governor that he (Bello) could not be arrested based on an order of the Kogi State High Court.
Falana said the EFCC had diligently complied with the order of the High Court by filing charges of money laundering of over N80bn against Bello.
Police Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun ordered the withdrawal of all police officers attached to the former governor via a wireless message sighted by our correspondent.
The document with reference number: “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/ 34 says: “IG has ordered the withdrawal of all policemen attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
“Acknowledge compliance and treat with utmost importance. Please, above for your information and strict compliance.”
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had earlier on Thursday also placed Bello on its watch list after he evaded arrest by the EFCC.
The NIS said it was “suffice to mention that Bello is facing trial in the Federal High Court Abuja” on money laundering and other sundry charges.
The memo circulated to the Directors-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Inspector-General of Police, urged the security agencies “to arrest Bello at any point of entry or exit into the country”.
