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Kogi govt kicks against EFCC’s corruption charges against Yahaya Bello
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought charges against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello for alleged corruption following the end of his tenure and the removal of his immunity from criminal prosecution.
Bello, who recently completed eight years in office, handed over to his successor, Usman Ododo, on 27 January.
He was immediately charged by the EFCC shortly after leaving office, as the anti-graft agency amended existing charges to include him as a co-defendant with additional counts related to the diversion of Kogi State funds.
Responding, Kogi State Government criticised the EFCC’s allegations, describing them as laughable and expressing displeasure at the agency’s decision to amend existing charges in order to prosecute Bello.
The government accused the EFCC of working with “criminals masquerading as politicians” to tarnish Bello’s image.
READ ALSO: Former Anambra Gov. Obiano pleads not guilty to N4bn money laundering charges
A statement from the state government reads in part, “This was not only laughable but portrayed the EFCC as an agency infested with persons whose intents disagree with the noble intention of Mr President to defeat corruption in Nigeria.
“The fact that the EFCC, in charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022: FRN V. 1. Ali Bello 2. Dauda Suleiman, currently pending before Honourable Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division further amended the amended charge to include in the counts the name of H.E Yahaya Bello, describing him as being at large, is ridiculous, and laughable.
“Being at large of course means that a person is evading arrest or is on the run and cannot be found after an attempt to arrest.
“For the sake of clarity, the original charge is against Ali Bello and Dauda Suleiman, Ali’s associate. The offence which H.E Yahaya Bello is alleged to have committed upon which he has been named in the count is a conspiracy to convert the total sum of N80,246,470,089.88, which offence is said to have occurred on or about September 2015 in Abuja.
“His co-conspirators, according to the count, are Abdulsalami Hudu (Kogi State Government House Cashier) described as being at large too, Ali Bello, and Dauda Suleiman.
“The count of the offence is most laughable as the election that produced H.E Yahaya Bello, as governor of Kogi was only conducted in November 2015. Indeed, H.E. Captain Idris Wada of the PDP held sway as governor of Kogi State at the material time until he handed over to H.E Yahaya Bello on the 27th day of January 2016.
“H.E Yahaya Bello could therefore not have as of September 2015 conspired with anyone, including Abdulsalami Hudu, a Kogi Government House Cashier, to convert any money belonging to the Kogi State Government. It is to be noted that H.E Yahaya Bello before becoming the Governor of Kogi State had no financial dealings with the Kogi State Government which could have permitted him to convert monies belonging to the Kogi State Government, hence, one’s dismay at the allegation,” the statement said.
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