Former governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has urged Yahaya Bello, his counterpart from Kogi State, to stop being a fugitive and turn himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This call was made on Sunday, during a thanksgiving service held at a Redeemed Christian Church of God in Makurdi, Benue State, organized by Ortom’s aides to celebrate his 63rd birthday. It will be recalled that Bello has been embroiled in a legal tussle with the EFCC, which declared him wanted after he evaded arrest and failed to appear for arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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In addition, the Nigerian Immigration Service has placed Bello on a watchlist. Addressing the congregation, Ortom advised Bello to come out of hiding, stating, “I want to use this opportunity to advise my younger brother and friend, Governor Yahaya Bello, not to disgrace former governors. You don’t need to hide. You don’t need to resist arrest or anything. Go there and respond. The EFCC officials are human beings. If they are making inquiries, the laws are there.”
The former Benue State helmsman expressed his concern that Bello’s continued evasion of EFCC summons could bring disgrace to former governors across the country. The Explainer recalls that Ortom himself had been invited by the EFCC shortly after leaving office in May 2023 and visited the Markudi office of the anti-graft agency in June 2023. After being questioned by EFCC investigators, he was released.
During his speech, Ortom expressed his gratitude to the people of Benue State for their support during his eight-year tenure and for celebrating his birthday. He described his two terms in office as challenging and urged the people to always pray for their leaders. He also thanked God for His mercies over his life and family, stating that he left the government house a better Christian.
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The Explainer previously reported that former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, denied allegations made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding misappropriation of government funds. In a statement made available to this medium, Bello’s media office refuted the allegations. The statement, signed by Ohiare Michael, asserted that the former governor did not use state funds to pay his children’s fees, describing the EFCC’s narrative as defamatory.
