In a fiery rebuke, the Kogi State Government has leveled accusations of witch-hunting and persecution against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), particularly in its pursuit of Alhaji Yahaya Adoiza Bello, the immediate past governor of the state. The government, through Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, issued a statement on Friday, March 15, urging for a special probe into the matter.
Reacting to the ongoing prosecution of the former governor, his nephew Ali Bello, and two others over an alleged N84 billion fraud, Fanwo vehemently denied any mismanagement of the state’s funds, asserting that Kogi’s accounts remain intact. He condemned what he described as the EFCC’s relentless pursuit of a non-existent issue, suggesting political manipulation by forces within and around the presidency.
Fanwo’s statement called upon the EFCC to cease implicating Kogi State in its purported persecution, urging President Bola Tinubu to institute a special probe to uncover the truth behind the unfolding saga. He emphasized the need for a transparent and impartial investigation, free from political bias and ulterior motives.
Describing the amended charges against the former governor as false and fabricated, Fanwo accused the EFCC of sensationalizing the situation to tarnish Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s reputation and that of the Kogi State Government. He urged President Tinubu to intervene and ensure justice prevails, safeguarding the integrity of both the state and the individuals involved.
The statement reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the federal government’s anti-corruption efforts but emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and avoiding politicization of the process. Fanwo assured the people of Kogi State of the government’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and probity, vowing to protect the state’s integrity and international reputation.
