The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has leveled corruption charges against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, shortly after the conclusion of his tenure. Bello stands accused of corruption in connection with the alleged diversion of over N80 billion during his time in office.
In a statement condemning the charges brought against Yahaya Bello, Kingsley Fanwo, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information, highlighted the ongoing case before Judge James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022, originally implicated Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello, and associate, Dauda Suleiman, before the former governor was added as a co-defendant.
In the amended case, Mr. Bello faces accusations of converting N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi State Government for personal use, with an alleged co-conspirator, Abdulsalami Hud (Kogi State Government House Cashier), described as being at large. The charges also implicate his co-defendants, Ali Bello and Dauda Suleiman.
Fanwo criticized the charges, noting that the alleged offence was dated around September 2015, before Mr. Bello assumed office. He pointed out the absurdity of accusing Bello of being “at large,” indicating a failure on the part of the EFCC to apprehend him.
He further remarked on the EFCC’s eagerness to implicate Bello, suggesting a departure from the agency’s mandate to combat corruption effectively.
“In the EFCC’s desperation to nail H.E Yahaya Bello, they forgot their thinking hammer at home,” Fanwo remarked, underscoring the questionable tactics employed in pursuing the case against the former governor.
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