Victor Ezeja
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has revealed that the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, transferred $720,000 from the state’s account to Bureau de Change (BDC) to pay his children’s school fees abroad in advance before he exited office.
Olukoyede, who disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a press conference, debunked the rumour that he is being used to witch-hunt the ex-governor.
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He said that all he is doing is out of passionate passion to see country move forward.
The EFCC chairman wondered why an outgoing governor would withdraw such a whopping sum of money from a poor state like Kogi and people expect him to keep quiet.
“A sitting governor (Bello) because he knows he is going moved money directly from government’s account to Bureau De Change to pay his child’s school fees in advance. $720,000 in advance, in anticipation that he is going to leave office in a poor state like Kogi and you want me to close my eyes to that? Under the guise that I am being used? Who is using who? At this my age? By who?” He stated.
Olukoyede said he inherited Bello’s case six months ago when he assumed office and personally called him to come and clear himself but the former governor failed to show up.
“On my honour, I put a call to him to honour him as a former governor. He said, I can’t come, claiming that a certain lady has surrounded the EFCC with over 100 Journalists to embarrass or intimidate him and all that stuff. I said if that is your fear, I will make you come directly to my floor. I will invite my operatives to interrogate you in my own office. What could be more honourable than that? Do you know what he said? ‘ Can’t they come to my village?’ My Director of Investigations also sent a message to him”, he said.
EFCC Boss Vows To Resign If Bello Is not Prosecuted
Olukoyede vowed to resign as EFCC chairman if Bello is not prosecuted. He also vowed that all those who prevented the arrest of the Bello last week would be prosecuted.
The anti-graft agency is seeking to arraign Bello on 19 counts bordering on alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80.2 billion.
Operatives of the EFCC had last week gone to arrest Bello in connection with the fraud allegations since he failed to show up but a combination of manuveres including the intervention of the incumbent governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, prevented the anti-graft agency from picking up the former governor.
The EFCC chairman said no amount of blackmail would stop him and his men from fighting corruption in the country.
He called on Nigerians to support the Commission in its quest to sanitise the country.
Bello, who was supposed to appear in court today for his arraignment did not show up.
The Commission has however served a copy of the charge sheet of alleged N80 billion fraud against the Bello on his lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohamed.
It was served sequel to the order by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja after Bello’s absence in court.
One of Bello’s lawyers told the court that the former governor was ready to appear in court for the arraignment but was afraid that he won’t be granted a fair hearing and bearings.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
