Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has alleged that the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, withdrew the sum of $720,000 from government account to pay the school fees of his child.
According Olukoyede, Bello wired the money to a Bureau de Change (BDC) operator to pay his child’s school fees in advance.
The revelation came after the EFCC declared the former governor wanted.
“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,” the EFCC boss said.
“Over $720,000 in anticipation that he was going to leave the government house. In a poor state like Kogi, you want me to close my eyes under the guise of ‘I’m being used’. Used by who? At this stage of my life.”
Olukoyede said he inherited the case file of the former Kogi governor, noting that he did not initiate the investigation against Bello.
Bello had earlier said he was ready to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to answer to the 19-count charge the EFCC, preferred against him.
Though Bello was absent for his arraignment, Olukoyede briefed a team of lawyers who addressed the court on his behalf on Tuesday, April 23.
A member of his legal team, Adeola Adedipe (SAN) told the court that his client would have made himself available for the proceedings, but was afraid that he would be arrested.
“The defendant wants to come to court but he is afraid that there is an order of arrest hanging on his head,” Adedipe submitted.
