EFCC Boss Olukoyede Stands By Resignation Vow, Says ‘I’ve Fulfilled My Mandate, Yahaya Bello’s Prosecution Is On Monitor’

In accordance with the EFCC chairman, Bello allegedly transferred cash straight from the Kogi State Authorities’s account to a bureau de change and used the funds to pay $720,000 as advance college charges for his little one.

The Chairman of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has accused the previous governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, of diverting state funds to pay his little one’s college charges prematurely whereas he was nonetheless a sitting governor, in anticipation of leaving workplace.

Olukoyede made the allegation throughout an interview on Sunday Politics, a programme aired by Channels Tv, the place he supplied contemporary particulars on the continuing prosecution of the previous governor and defended the EFCC’s dealing with of the case amid rising public scrutiny.

In accordance with the EFCC chairman, Bello allegedly transferred cash straight from the Kogi State Authorities’s account to a bureau de change and used the funds to pay $720,000 as advance college charges for his little one.

“A sitting governor, as a result of he is aware of he’s going, moved cash straight from authorities to bureau de change, used it to pay the kid’s college charge prematurely, $720,000 prematurely, in anticipation that he was going to depart the Authorities Home,” Olukoyede mentioned.

He described the alleged motion as notably disturbing given the financial realities of the state.

“In a poor state like Kogi, and also you need me to shut my eyes to that beneath the guise of ‘I’m getting used.’ Being utilized by who at this stage of my life?” he added.

The EFCC chairman additionally revisited his earlier public vow to resign if Bello was not prosecuted, an announcement he made in April 2024 on the top of controversy surrounding the case.

“If I don’t personally oversee the completion of the investigation concerning Yahaya Bello, I’ll tender my resignation because the chairman of the EFCC,” he mentioned in April 2024,” Olukoyede had mentioned on the time.

Whereas some Nigerians have questioned why the case in opposition to the previous governor has not been concluded, Olukoyede insisted that the EFCC has fulfilled its duty and that the matter is now firmly within the fingers of the courts.

“Have I not made good that promise of dedication? Is Yahaya Bello not being prosecuted? The case remains to be in courtroom,” he mentioned through the interview.

He careworn that the EFCC’s function is to analyze and prosecute, to not decide guilt or ship convictions.

“I’ve three instances in opposition to Yahaya Bello. Am I the decide who would decide the conviction? I’ve achieved my work. I’ve fulfilled my mandate. Nigerians should know that, they usually should additionally encourage us in doing extra,” Olukoyede mentioned.

“This man has been investigated, and we have now filed fees in opposition to him, and the matter is gaining traction,” he added.

Bello is at the moment dealing with a number of fees earlier than totally different courts.

He’s standing trial on a 16-count cost involving alleged property fraud amounting to N110 billion, alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.

In a separate case earlier than the Federal Excessive Court docket, the previous governor can also be dealing with a 19-count cost bordering on alleged fraud and cash laundering involving N80.2 billion.

The EFCC had earlier declared Bello wished in April 2024 over alleged monetary crimes totaling about N80 billion, a transfer that generated widespread consideration and political debate throughout the nation.

Reiterating the seriousness of the allegations, Olukoyede mentioned the switch of $720,000 to a bureau de change for college charges was uncovered throughout investigations into Bello’s monetary dealings whereas in workplace.

In accordance with the EFCC chairman, the company will proceed to pursue the case to its logical conclusion, whatever the standing or affect of these concerned.

The prosecution of the previous Kogi State governor stays ongoing, with the EFCC sustaining that it has assembled substantial proof and filed the required fees, whereas the courts will in the end decide the end result of the instances.