The Kogi State Government has strongly criticized what it described as a desperate and baseless attempt by “criminals masquerading as politicians” to tarnish the image of the immediate past Governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the state government, the EFCC, in an amended charge, has accused Bello of diverting Kogi State Government funds in September 2015, four months before he assumed office as governor. This move by the EFCC has sparked outrage from the Kogi State Government, who believe it portrays the agency as harboring individuals with contrary intentions to President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption stance.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, the Kogi State Government expressed its disappointment and referred to this action by the EFCC as “ridiculous” and “laughable.” The government argues that accusing Bello, who is described as being “at large,” suggests that he is evading arrest or on the run when there is no evidence to support such claims.
The original charge, as clarified by the Kogi State Government, is against Ali Bello and Dauda Suleiman, an associate of Ali. The offense that Yahaya Bello is alleged to have committed is conspiracy to convert the sum of N80,246,470,089.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty-Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Eighty-Nine Naira, Eighty-Eight Kobo) in September 2015 in Abuja. The co-conspirators listed in the charge include Abdulsalami Hudu, the Kogi State Government House Cashier, who is also described as being “at large,” Ali Bello, and Dauda Suleiman.
The Kogi State Government further criticized the EFCC, alleging that their desperation to implicate Yahaya Bello led them to overlook critical details and resort to baseless accusations. The government believes that this incident highlights a broader issue within the EFCC and questions the agency’s commitment to President Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign.
The government called on the EFCC to exercise fairness and professionalism in its investigations and ensure that actions are guided by credible evidence and not driven by political motives. They also urged the agency to focus on fighting corruption effectively and avoid tarnishing the reputation of innocent citizens.
As this case unfolds, many will be watching closely to see how the EFCC responds to these allegations and whether they can provide concrete evidence to support their charges against the former governor.
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