Kogi Government Sends Two Officials To EFCC Amid N80billion Fraud Probe As Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello Remains Wanted
According to the government, there was no invitation received, rather the decision to go to the headquarters by the officials was voluntary.
Two unnamed officials of the Kogi State Government are currently with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at its Headquarters in Abuja.
The state information Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo, revealed this while speaking to journalists in Lokoja on Monday.
According to the government, there was no invitation received, rather the decision to go to the headquarters by the officials was voluntary.
The statement reads, “Despite not receiving an official invitation, they decided to voluntarily report at the headquarters of the commission in Abuja.”
They also noted that specifics of the allegation had not been provided.
“We have not been told the specific details about the allegations against them, but it may not be unconnected to the ongoing investigations regarding some present and former Government officials.”
He urged the EFCC to maintain professionalism in handling the officials.
“We hope that the EFCC will respond to the patriotic action of the officials by remaining professional in conducting their investigations. As a Government, we are always prepared to cooperate with anti-graft agencies to prove our transparency and retain the confidence of our development partners who have consistently given us awards in recognition of our unflinching transparency, accountability and probity.”
Kogi State has been enmeshed with corruption allegations, more notably with the ex-governor who is accused of a N80billion fraud.
He has also failed to show up in court.
SaharaReporters days ago reported that Yahaya Bello, the former governor, remains on the run three months after being declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, had confirmed that Bello “remains wanted until he is arrested.”
The EFCC had declared Bello wanted on April 18, 2024, for alleged money laundering involving N80,246,470,089.88.
On April 17, armed men and police thwarted EFCC’s attempt to apprehend Bello at his Abuja residence. Current Kogi State governor, Usman Ododo, intervened and escorted Bello from the scene.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had issued a warrant for Bello’s arrest, along with three others, for 19 counts of money laundering. Despite this, EFCC has been unable to detain Bello, delaying the arraignment.
