ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought charges of corruption against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
This is coming just days after his tenure ended and he relinquished the immunity protecting him from prosecution.
Bello, who handed over to his successor, Usman Ododo, after serving eight years in office, was charged by the anti-graft agency shortly thereafter.
Rather than initiating a fresh case, the EFCC opted to amend existing charges against his nephew and an associate, accusing them of diverting funds belonging to Kogi State.
He was subsequently included as a co-defendant, with additional counts.
Reacting to the development, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, condemned the charging of Mr. Bello.
Fanwo stated that the case, already before the Federal High Court in Abuja under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022, had initially named Bello’s nephew and associate as defendants.
In the amended case, the former Governor stands accused of converting over N80 billion belonging to Kogi State for personal use.
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However, Fanwo pointed out the absurdity of the charges, noting that the alleged offense took place in September 2015, before Bello assumed office as the then Governor.
He emphasized that Bello’s inclusion as a defendant in the amended charge, with accusations of being “at large,” was preposterous and reflected poorly on the EFCC’s integrity and professionalism.
The Kogi State Government issued a statement denouncing what it described as a politically motivated attempt to tarnish Bello’s reputation.
The statement highlighted inconsistencies in the EFCC’s claims and reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Furthermore, the government called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and restore the EFCC’s integrity, urging the agency to focus on genuine anti-corruption efforts rather than political vendettas.
In a detailed account of previous encounters with the EFCC, the state government underscored its resolve to defend itself against baseless allegations and uphold the trust of its citizens.
As the legal battle unfolds, the Kogi State Government remains steadfast in its dedication to serving the people and promoting good governance, vowing to continue its pursuit of transparency and accountability.
The EFCC’s actions, according to the government, underscore the need for a genuine commitment to the fight against corruption, free from political interference and personal agendas.