Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo has been accused of using his constitutional immunity to prevent the arrest of his predecessor, Yahaya Bello.

On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Ododo accompanied Yahaya Bello to voluntarily honour the invitations of the EFCC after ignoring multiple calls.

Bello was declared wanted over allegations of money laundering and corruption amounting to N80.2 billion following his refusal to attend court proceedings and the EFCC.

Shortly after Bello made his way to the EFCC headquarters in the company of his successor, the spokesperson for the anti-graft agency denied reports that the former governor was in their custody and stated that he is still wanted.

“The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody,” adding that Bello “remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.”

Later that night, the EFCC laid siege to the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja in an attempt to apprehend Bello. However, the operatives stated that they were unable to capture Bello due to the influence of the Kogi Governor. The EFCC claimed Ododo’s immunity prevented them from taking further actions.

Recall that in April, Ododo reportedly aided Bello’s escape from the EFCC during a raid in Abuja.

PUNCH Newspaper quoted one of the officials saying: “Yahaya Bello has not been arrested. The Kogi State governor prevented operatives from doing their work yesterday just like he did the other time. He took him away, and our men could not do anything because of the immunity he (Ododo) is enjoying.”