The Kogi State government has refuted claims of missing funds under the tenure of its immediate past governor, Yahaya Bello, following recent allegations leveled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In an amended charge filed against Alli Bello, chief of staff to the current governor, and Daudu Suleiman, the EFCC mentioned Bello in connection with the diversion of approximately N100 billion belonging to the state in September 2015, months before Bello assumed office.
Reacting to these allegations, Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi’s commissioner for information and communications, issued a statement on behalf of the state government, denying any wrongdoing during Bello’s administration.
Fanwo asserted that Bello’s tenure as governor was marked by transparency and accountability, and he urged the EFCC to cease its “ongoing persecution” of the former governor. He accused certain political actors of orchestrating a campaign to tarnish Bello’s image.
He said: “As a subnational in the Nigerian nationhood, we wish to express our utmost respect for agencies set up to perform specific functions towards the greatness of Nigeria.
“The desperation of the EFCC to hastily and for glaring political reasons, hound the immediate past Governor on their corruption list is unfortunate and speaks volume on how we reward altruistic leadership in our nation.
“For the records, we wish to make it clear that Kogi’s funds are not missing and that the EFCC is trying so hard to find what is not missing.
“We therefore call on the EFCC to desist from mentioning the name of Kogi State in its ongoing persecution, orchestrated by some political actors in and around the Presidency bent on destroying the image of Alh. Yahaya Bello and Kogi State.
“The amended charges in which the name of the former Governor was mentioned are false, frivolous, fictitious and far from the truth. They are cooked-up charges that signpost their desperation to call a dog a bad name in order to hang it.
“The intention was to sensationalize the whole scenario and promote a media war against the former Governor and other officials of Government.”
Fanwo also called upon President Bola Tinubu to order a special probe into the matter, emphasizing the government’s commitment to supporting the federal government’s anti-corruption efforts while stressing the need for transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law.
He added: “The Kogi State Government wishes to call on Mr President to order a special probe into what is happening in Kogi State before the EFCC is pushed into being used as a hired gun by political hawks who are acting a selfish and overambitious script.
“As a Government, we will continue to support the anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Government, howbeit, such crusade should be based on the rule of law, purity of conscience and devoid of political scheming.
“We cannot afford to politicize our fight against corruption. We will continue to have faith in the judiciary to protect our name and integrity.
“Those who have personal grievances can vent their grievances without dragging the name of Kogi State in the mud. Our Government believes in transparency, accountability and probity in line with the trend from 2016.
“We also wish to assure the good people of our State that nothing will be spared to protect the integrity of our Government.
“Our administration will continue to act in a way that Kogites will be respected wherever they go and for us to retain the respect of our international development partners who have persistently commended our anti-corruption credentials.”
