Former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, was reportedly denied clearance to take part in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary screening in Kogi State after he failed to appear before the party’s screening panel.
According to a screening report from the Kogi State secretariat of the APC obtained by Sahara Reporters, Bello’s name was not among the aspirants cleared for the exercise.
Sources within the APC told Sahara Reporters that Bello stayed away from the screening exercise because of questions connected to ongoing criminal investigations and court cases.
The source claimed the former governor was not cleared because he did not participate in the screening process.
Another source told the publication that one of the questions in the APC senatorial form required aspirants to disclose any ongoing criminal investigation, which may have influenced Bello’s decision not to attend the screening.
The source further alleged that EFCC officials were expected around the party secretariat during the screening exercise, forcing Bello to avoid the venue and travel to Lagos instead.
The development comes as the former governor continues to battle corruption cases filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello is currently facing two separate criminal trials linked to alleged financial misconduct during his time as governor of Kogi State.
One of the cases involves an alleged N80.2 billion money laundering charge filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The EFCC accused him and other persons of diverting public funds through private accounts and using part of the money to acquire expensive properties in Nigeria and Dubai.
The anti-graft agency also accused the former governor of criminal breach of trust in the case, which is being handled by Justice Emeka Nwite.
During the ongoing trial, bank officials and other witnesses reportedly gave evidence concerning cash transactions allegedly carried out to avoid financial reporting rules.
Apart from the N80.2 billion case, Bello is also standing trial over another alleged fraud case involving N110.4 billion. In that matter, the EFCC accused him alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu of illegally diverting funds belonging to Kogi State.
Bello is seeking to contest for the Kogi Central Senatorial District seat, but his ambition has continued to generate reactions because of the corruption allegations hanging over him.
