CHAIRMAN of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that the embattled former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, withdrew $720,000 from the state’s accounts to pay his child’s school fees in advance just before he left office on January 27, this year.
Olukoyede vowed that Bello would be prosecuted and all those who obstructed his arrest in Abuja last week brought to book.
EFCC chairman, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, on Tuesday, April 23, further alleged that Bello moved the money from the state coffers to a bureau de change operator and used the money for his child’s school fee in advance.
He said: “A sitting governor, because he knew he was leaving office, moved money directly from the government to Bureau de Change (and) used it to pay his child’s school fee in advance.
“Over $720,000 or thereabout, in anticipation that he was going to leave the Government House. In a poor state like Kogi? And you want me to close my eyes under the guise of ‘I’m being used.’ Used by who? At this stage of my life? Used by who?
“I didn’t initiate the case; I inherited the case. I called for the case file and I said there are issues here.”
He vowed that to follow the prosecution of the former governor to a logical conclusion, saying that he would resign as EFCC chairman if Bello is not prosecuted.
Olukoyede also vowed to bring to account, all those who obstructed Bello’s arrest.
The EFCC has been evading arrest and arraignment on 19 counts bordering on alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80.2billion.
But Olukoyede said that no matter what anyone does or the number of attacks against the EFCC, he and his men would not relent in their effort to sanitise the country.
On April 17, 2024, armed EFCC operatives laid siege to Bello’s Abuja residence in a bid to arrest him, but after a stand-off with security men attached to him, his successor in office, Governor Usman Ododo, who enjoys immunity while in office, arrived at the house and allegedly ferried Bello away in his official vehicle.
The EFCC subsequently declared Bello wanted, warning that obstruction to his arrest would not be tolerated.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, subsequently advised Bello to turn himself in.
