Why Tinubu Didn't Interfere In EFCC's Prosecution Of Yahaya Bello

The rationale behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision not to intervene in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) investigation of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been clarified.

Bello, a significant figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a member of the defunct Tinubu/Shettima campaign organization during the 2023 election, is facing serious allegations of corruption.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that despite claims that Bello is being targeted, President Tinubu has emphasized that the EFCC must fulfill its legal obligations, encouraging citizens to support the agency’s anti-corruption efforts.

A source within Tinubu’s inner circle explained that the President’s choice not to intervene was a deliberate attempt to send a clear message: corruption in public office will not be tolerated, regardless of political connections.

The EFCC, led by Ola Olukoyede, has accused Bello of a staggering N110 billion fraud, initially filing 19 charges related to money laundering totaling ₦80,246,470,088.88. In updated charges filed on September 25, the alleged laundered amount increased to ₦110,446,470,89.00. The accusations involve the purchase of 12 properties in Abuja with laundered funds, along with charges of criminal breach of trust.

The EFCC has declared Bello wanted and placed him on a watchlist after failed attempts to arrest him due to his repeated absence from court proceedings.

In September 2024, his Media Office alleged that EFCC operatives attempted a forceful arrest.

Sources from the presidency have indicated that Tinubu’s stance reflects a commitment to impartiality in the fight against corruption.

Tinubu EFCC Yahaya Bello

By allowing the EFCC to operate independently, he is reinforcing the principle that no political office should shield individuals from legal accountability, asserting that all public officials must answer for their actions.