Kogi Govt Accuses EFCC Of Politically Motivated Charges Against Yahaya Bello
2 min readIn a press release today, the Kogi State Government exposed what it calls the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) political agenda, accusing the commission of desperate attempts to tarnish the image of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
The state government claims that the EFCC has charged Bello for diverting Kogi’s funds months before he assumed office.
The state government, represented by Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo, deems the charges laughable and questions the credibility of the EFCC. The amended charge alleges Bello’s involvement in a conspiracy to convert a significant sum of money in September 2015, a time when he hadn’t assumed the position of Governor. The government argues that this accusation is baseless, considering the election that brought Bello to power occurred in November 2015.
Furthermore, the Kogi State Government warns against political interference in state affairs and asserts that the state’s money is not missing, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and accountability. Fanwo urges Nigerians to question the credibility of the EFCC and calls on the President to intervene to protect the integrity of the anti-corruption agency.
The press release also highlights a historical context, referencing a previous incident in 2021 where the EFCC falsely claimed to have uncovered funds in a fixed deposit account belonging to the Kogi State Government. The state government contends that the EFCC’s actions are politically motivated, aiming to discredit political opponents rather than genuinely combating corruption.
Fanwo concludes by expressing the government’s determination to defend its integrity, urging the people of Kogi State to remain calm amidst what it perceives as relentless provocations by the EFCC.
The statement was signed by Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the Honorable Commissioner for Information and Communications, dated February 6, 2024.