EFCC’s Tango With Former Governor Bello: “We Will Lock Down Abuja, Major Cities – Kogi Indigenes

By Daniel Maduka

Kogi indigenes resident outside the State has handed down a 72-hour ultimatum to the Economic And Financial Crime Commission,  EFCC, within which to discontinue its prosecution of the immediate past Governor of the State, Yahaya Bello, or face a mass ,but peaceful protest.

The group under the auspices of Kogi in Diaspora Association condemned the decision of EFCC to slam corruption charges on  the former  Governor. They noted that it is a grand design to ridicule both Bello and the good people of Kogi States.

Former Governor Bello, who recently handed the baton to Usman Ododo, is  currently facing corruption charges from the EFCC over alleged misappropriation and diversion of public funds in the region of #80 billion,

In a Communique issued on Wednesday February 7 2024 in Abuja, the Kogi Group said it vehemently rejects attempts by the EFCC to link Yahaya Bello  with an alleged diversion of about  N80 billion from Kogi state funds in September, 2015 , months before he mounted the saddle.

“This assertion is not only contentious, but preposterous . How can someone divert Government funds long before gaining access to the levers of leadership? the group queried.

The Communique which was signed by the Convener of the Association, Hon Seyi Olorusola, demanded an immediate halt to what it described as a pursuit of smear campaign against the person of former Governor Yahaya Bello,.

The Kogi indigenes expressed serious concern that the EFCC’s actions are capable of impeding efforts being made to attract investments from the state’s Diaspora citizens.

They emphasized that previous attempts by the anti graft body to rope in Bello failed judicial test ,and wondered why again trying to use same watery issues to hunt the former Governor.

“The Kogi in Diaspora Association, hereby issues a 72 hour ultimatum for the EFCC to halt its Unwarranted witch hunt of former Governor Yahaya Bello . Failure to comply will result in civil disobedience protests by the Association’s members in Abuja and other major cities across the  country” the Kogi indigenes stated.