Tinubu Govt Places Yahaya Bello On Watchlist, No-Fly List

The former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has been placed on a watch list and in a no-fly list to prevent him from leaving the country through any land, air, or sea borders.

Naija News reports that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) made this known in an internal circular on Thursday evening.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requested that all the security agencies in the country place Bello on a watchlist and a no-flight zone.

Granting the request and circulating the EFCC directive, the NIS. in the circular signed by the Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, DS Umar, for the Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap, directed its area and zonal commands to arrest Bello if seen.

Copied in the circular are the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and others, which detailed the name, nationality and passport number of the former Governor (B50083321).

Nanadap stated, “I am directed to inform you that the above-named person has been placed on the watch list.

“Suffice to mention that the subject is being prosecuted before the Federal High Court Abuja for Conspiracy, Breach of Trust, and Money Laundering vide letter Ref; CR; 3000/EFCC/LS/EGCS.1/ TE/Vide/1/279 dated April 18, 2024.

“If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation or contact 08036226329/07039617304 for further action.”

The circular stated that the former Kogi governor was under investigation, and there was a suspicion that he might leave the country to evade investigations.

EFCC had earlier on Thursday declared Bello wanted for an alleged financial crime to the tune of N80.2 billion.

The commission said in a bulletin that “anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the Commission or the nearest police station.”