The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has debunked rumors that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello is in their custody. In a statement released today, the commission clarified that Bello remains wanted for alleged N80.2 billion money laundering charges, with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.

Bello’s media office had, in a circulating press release, said that Bello was being held at the EFCC’s facility, but the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, has denied these claims.

Bello’s media team had earlier released a statement saying that the former governor had honored the EFCC’s invitation, but this has been contradicted by the EFCC.

The EFCC maintains that Bello is still at large and wanted for questioning regarding the alleged money laundering charges.

In Wednesday’s statement, Ohiare Michael, Director, Yahaya Bello Media Office, said, the former Governor of Kogi State finally honoured the pending invitation by the EFCC over money laundering allegations.

He said, “It is our hope that the Commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Ohiare added that the details of Bello’s engagement with the operatives of the anti-graft agency would be disclosed later.