The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on INTERPOL in three North African Maghreb countries of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, to watch-list former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
It was further learnt that the anti graft after getting a credible intelligence about what Bello was planning came up with the decision.
Other countries where the ex-governor has also been pencilled on the watch-list are Egypt, Libya and Sudan.
The agency has vowed that it has much option on the table on how to deal with the Bello situation, which include but not limited to storming the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja, where the ex-governor is believed to be taking refuge under the anointing of the sitting state governor Ododo.
The watch-list option was activated on the heel of the July 17th where the former governor is expected to appear before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Bello is facing a 19-count charge for alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to a tune of about N80.2billion.
Although the ex-governor has denied the allegation, he has consistently but has continued to play a hide and seek game with the law, as Justice Emeka Nwite on June 13th and June 27th summoned the former governor to appear which he failed.
For a reason only known to him, Bello has filed an application for the transfer of his trial to the Federal High Court, Lokoja.
Speaking in the situation, the EFCC source said: “Ahead of the next hearing of the case, EFCC has activated many options, including taking a concrete action to watch-list Bello in North Africa.
“We are aware of a botched exit to Morocco via Cameroon. We are determined to stop him from going on exile.
“From Singapore, the EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede was in Tunisia where he delivered a paper at a session on illicit financial flows. Thereafter, he had a meeting with all the Heads of INTERPOL in North Africa on the intelligence on the ex-governor.
“He formally asked INTERPOL to place Bello on Red Alert in all North African countries and it was accepted.
“The watch-list has taken immediate effect. He will be arrested in any part of North Africa.
“We took this step because we are suspecting that he had been bidding time not to be available for arraignment.
“We expect Bello to be in court to prove his innocence. EFCC has to do its work to avoid bad precedent.”
During the last hearing, Bello’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), applied to withdraw his appearance for his client.
However, Adedipe drew the court’s attention to an application before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for the transfer of charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 to the Federal High Court, Lokoja.
He said the application was pursuant to Section 45 of the Federal High Court Establishment Act.