In a startling revelation, the Chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, disclosed that Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, allegedly diverted $720,000 from the state coffers to pay for his child’s school fees in advance.
Speaking during an interactive session with media executives in Abuja, Olukoyede accused Bello of orchestrating the transfer of state funds directly to a bureau de change operator under the guise of prepaying his child’s educational expenses. The EFCC chairman asserted that Bello’s actions were indicative of his awareness that his tenure was drawing to a close.
“A sitting governor, because he knew he was leaving office, moved money directly from the government to a bureau de change and used it to pay his child’s school fee in advance,” Olukoyede remarked, expressing dismay at the audacity of such actions, particularly in a state with economic challenges like Kogi.
Furthermore, Olukoyede emphasized his commitment to thoroughly investigating the matter, asserting that he would tender his resignation if he failed to oversee its completion. Despite extending a personal invitation to Bello to address the allegations, the former governor reportedly declined to appear before the commission.
In a dramatic turn of events, on April 17, EFCC operatives laid siege to Bello’s residence in Abuja to effect his arrest over alleged N80 billion fraud. However, Usman Ododo, the governor of Kogi, arrived at Bello’s residence during the operation, leading to the withdrawal of EFCC operatives.
Subsequently, Bello was reportedly rescued by Ododo when he departed his residence located in the Wuse Zone 4 district of Abuja. Following these events, the anti-graft agency declared the former governor wanted, and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) placed him on a watchlist.
Olukoyede highlighted the importance of Nigerians supporting the EFCC for its success, emphasizing that the agency’s failure would reflect negatively on Nigeria. He pointed out that the ongoing efforts have positively impacted the value of the Naira and the foreign market.
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