Breaking: Kogi governor, Bello under investigation – EFCC

Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello is being investigated for financial fraud allegation leveled against him.

The anti-graft agency’s letter which was signed by the Director of Operations, Abdulkarim Chukkol, and seen by our correspondent in Abuja indicated that a petition was filed against Yahaya Bello and certain officials of his government.

CAPITAL POST earlier reported that a non-governmental organisation, Anti-Corruption Network, published a comprehensive details of State funds alledgedly sleezed with account numbers in Zenith Bank and other Banks where Kogi State Government accounts was domiciled.

Former lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial district, Senator Dino Melaye had in his verified Twitter handle released a copy of the petitikn detailing the allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption by Yahaya Bello, who is currently aspiring to contest the 2023 presidential election.

Acting on the petition, the EFCC acknowledged that Yahaya Bello is under investigation over award of contracts to non-legal persons, contract splitting and money laundering.

The petition was also submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), U.S. embassy, British High Commission and Transparency International, but checks by CAPITAL POST couldn’t confirm if the ICPC has begun action.

Part of the petition reads:
“We have meticulously investigated and uncovered huge financial fraud carried out by Kogi State Government, the Governor of Kogi State and his Cohorts from 2016 – 2019, ranging from award of contracts to non-legal persons, and award of contracts without due process.

“It further averred that there was circumvention of procurement procedures, suspicious payments made without specific breakdown, money laundering, borrowing from non-capital market, fraudulent loan, and many others.”