In a recent development, the Kogi State Government has vehemently opposed the allegations of financial misconduct leveled against the former governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC had accused Bello of engaging in financial fraud amounting to N80 billion.
According to the EFCC, Bello purportedly diverted state funds totaling N80 billion in September 2015, a few months prior to assuming office as governor. This accusation came as part of an amended charge against Bello, which also implicated his nephew, Ali Bello, in alleged money laundering activities involving N10 billion belonging to the state government.
However, the Kogi State Government, represented by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, has strongly refuted these claims. Fanwo criticized the EFCC’s charges as “ridiculous” and “laughable,” asserting that it would have been impossible for Bello to access or misuse state funds at the time specified since he had not yet assumed office.
Fanwo clarified that the original charge pertained to Ali Bello and his associate, Dauda Suleiman, with Yahaya Bello being included as a co-conspirator in the amended charge. He emphasized that the alleged offense occurred in September 2015, a time when Bello had not yet taken office as governor and therefore could not have been involved in any financial misconduct related to state funds.
Highlighting the chronological sequence, Fanwo pointed out that Bello was elected as governor in November 2015, succeeding Captain Idris Wada of the PDP, who was in office until January 27, 2016. Therefore, the notion that Bello conspired to convert state funds before assuming office lacks credibility.
The state government firmly asserted that Bello had no financial ties with the Kogi State Government prior to his tenure as governor, dispelling any notion of his involvement in converting state funds. Additionally, they cautioned against politicizing the issue and urged stakeholders to refrain from tarnishing the reputation of the state, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and accountability. In light of these developments, the dispute between the EFCC’s allegations and the Kogi State Government’s defense underscores the complexity surrounding the legal and political landscape of the case.
