The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has accused former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of diverting a whopping $720,000 from the state’s coffers to a bureau de change under the guise of paying in advance for his child’s school fees.
Speaking during an interview with journalists in Abuja, Olukoyede condemned the act, describing it as a blatant misuse of public funds, particularly in a state grappling with economic challenges.
He stated, “a sitting governor, because he knows he is going, moved money directly from government to bureau de change, used it to pay the child’s school fee in advance, $720,000 in advance, in anticipation that he was going to leave the Government House.
“In a poor state like Kogi, and you want me to close my eyes to that under the guise of ‘I’m being used.’ Being used by who at this stage of my life?”
Olukoyede said several attempts to engage Bello in a dialogue to address the allegations, the former governor refused to cooperate.
He recounted extending an invitation to Bello to clarify the situation within the EFCC’s premises, only to be met with resistance.
He said Bello cited fears of harassment from an unnamed woman as grounds for his reluctance to participate in the investigation.
Moreover, Olukoyede stressed his commitment to upholding due process and transparency in the pursuit of justice.
He revealed his personal outreach to Bello,saying that he offered him the opportunity to address the allegations in a respectful setting.
In response to Bello’s suggestion that the EFCC conduct the investigation in his village, Olukoyede reiterated the agency’s commitment to fairness and impartiality.
He expressed willingness to accommodate Bello’s concerns while ensuring a thorough and transparent inquiry into the matter.
Amidst the revelations surrounding Bello’s alleged financial impropriety, Olukoyede revealed the EFCC’s achievements in combating corruption and securing convictions.
He highlighted the agency’s successful recovery of close to 120 billion naira and the prosecution of over 1,600 cases within a six-month period.
Olukoyede reaffirmed the EFCC’s dedication to serving justice and providing restitution to victims of financial crimes.
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