The Nigeria Immigration Service has placed the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on its watchlist following his evasion of arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an accusation of N80 billion fraud.
The notice, which comes a few hours after the EFCC declared Bello wanted, was contained in a letter addressed to the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, and other formations.
The letter, signed by the Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (Suspect Index), D S Umar, on behalf of the Comptroller General of the Immigration Service, reads in part: “Suffice to mention that the subject is being prosecuted before the Federal High Court Abuja for Conspiracy, Breach of Trust and Money Laundering… if seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation or contact 08036226329/07039617304 for further action.”
The move by the Nigeria Immigration Service is aimed at preventing Bello from fleeing the country to avoid prosecution over the alleged fraud.
The EFCC had earlier declared Bello wanted for offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 billion.
