The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has levelled serious allegations against Yahaya Bello, who left office as governor of Kogi State, Nigeria, in January. The EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, claims Governor Bello misappropriated $720,000 (N774,540,000) from state funds to pay for his child’s school fees.
Olukoyede said that Bello, who has been on the EFCC wanted list since fleeing his home in Abuja last Wednesday when EFCC officers went to arrest him, transferred the funds from the state account weeks before he handed over to the newly elected governor Usman Ododo.
The ex-Governor’s administration (2016 to 2024) faced criticism over alleged mismanagement of funds and unpaid salaries for civil servants. The EFCC is investigating Bello on charges of alleged corruption, including money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80.2 billion.
The EFCC chairman has pledged to resign if the agency fails to prosecute the former governor, suggesting that the EFCC has gathered substantial evidence and intends to pursue the case. “If I do not personally oversee the completion of the investigation regarding Yahaya Bello, I will tender my resignation as the EFCC chair,” he said.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
