EFCC reacts after Ododo smuggles Yahaya Bello out of ex Gov's Abuja residence

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned citizens who intentionally obstruct personnel in its operations.

The anti-graft agency made this known in a statement shared on its X handle on Wednesday, April 17.

The warning comes hours after the embattled former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, was whisked away from his Abuja residence by his successor, Governor Ahmed Ododo on Wednesday, April 17.

In a statement signed by Dele Oyewale, its spokesperson, the EFCC said it is a criminal offence to obstruct its officers from carrying out their duties.

EFCC said: "This warning becomes necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC.

"On several occasions, operatives of the commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order."

Yahaya Bello will be arraigned before a federal high court in Abuja on Thursday, April 18 (today).

He will be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite alongside three other accused persons, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80,246,470.

Bello’s arraignment is coming on the heels of a warrant of arrest and enrolment order granted to the EFCC by the court on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

EFCC PRESS STATEMENT

We Will No Longer Tolerate Obstruction of Our Operations

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission wishes to warn members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

Section… pic.twitter.com/K3dPPW8450

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) April 17, 2024