The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) included Yahaya Bello in an amended charge filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday. The commission accuses the former governor, along with his nephew and current Chief of Staff, Alli Bello, and Dauda Sulaiman, of diverting N100 billion belonging to the state in September 2015.
In response to the charge, the state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, issued a statement on Friday, attributing the amended charges to “political actors around the presidency” aiming to smear the former governor’s reputation. Labeling them as false, frivolous, and a smear campaign, he accused the EFCC of sensationalizing the situation and engaging in a media war against the former governor and other officials.
The Kogi State Government, supporting Yahaya Bello, insists that the state’s funds are accounted for and criticizes the EFCC for what they see as politically motivated prosecution. They argue that the EFCC is abusing its powers for political vendettas.
Meanwhile, the state government calls on President Bola Tinubu to initiate a special probe into the EFCC’s activities in the state, emphasizing their commitment to transparency, accountability, and probity since 2016.
