PDP To EFCC: Go After Yahaya Bello For Alleged Money Laundering

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has charged the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Kogi Governor
Yahaya Bello for alleged money laundering running into
billions.

The party’s call to the EFCC followed a squeal by a civil
society organisation, the Anti-Corruption Network, accusing
Governor Bello of squandering billions of public funds.

In a statement on Thursday by spokesman for the PDP, Kola
Ologbondiyan, the party challenged the Governor to speak out on the
allegation.

The Anti-Corruption Network had alleged a series of financial
dealings by the Governor, including using certain officials of the
Kogi State Government as well as private individuals and firms to
siphon, launder and cart away billions meant for the development of
Kogi.

The PDP said that the revelations by Anti-Corruption Network
ostensibly explained why the people of Kogi state have been
impoverished and why no concrete development has taken place since
the governor assumed office in 2016.

The statement said: “Governor Yahaya Bello is demanded to
provide answers to revelations made by the anti-graft body, which
is in the public domain, that he has been laundering billions of
naira in several tranches through award of contracts to non-legal
persons as well as inactive companies with no transaction
descriptions and due process certification.

“Also, Gov Yahaya Bello should answer to allegations by the
Anti-Corruption Network that he siphoned billions of naira through
award of contracts, without due process in addition to five other
companies which allegedly got between N22 million N129 million
respectively.

“It is indeed disheartening that such funds were monies meant
for infrastructural development, provision of healthcare, education
facilities, road construction, payment of salaries and pension and
other benefits, which have been deprived the people since the
inception of the Bello administration.

“Against this background, our party calls on the EFCC, under its
new leadership, to immediately commence investigation by inviting
all those mentioned in the report as well as prosecute any
individual or company indicted in the matter”.

The PDP also urged the EFCC to equally commence investigation on
activities of the Governor as well as the account records of his
administration with a view to prosecuting him immediately he leaves
office at the end of his tenure, if indicted.

The party said nobody should be allowed to hide under the cover
of immunity to get away with criminal pillaging of public resources
entrusted into their hands.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has charged the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Kogi Governor
Yahaya Bello for alleged money laundering running into
billions.

The party’s call to the EFCC followed a squeal by a civil
society organisation, the Anti-Corruption Network, accusing
Governor Bello of squandering billions of public funds.

In a statement on Thursday by spokesman for the PDP, Kola
Ologbondiyan, the party challenged the Governor to speak out on the
allegation.

The Anti-Corruption Network had alleged a series of financial
dealings by the Governor, including using certain officials of the
Kogi State Government as well as private individuals and firms to
siphon, launder and cart away billions meant for the development of
Kogi.

The PDP said that the revelations by Anti-Corruption Network
ostensibly explained why the people of Kogi state have been
impoverished and why no concrete development has taken place since
the governor assumed office in 2016.

The statement said: “Governor Yahaya Bello is demanded to
provide answers to revelations made by the anti-graft body, which
is in the public domain, that he has been laundering billions of
naira in several tranches through award of contracts to non-legal
persons as well as inactive companies with no transaction
descriptions and due process certification.

“Also, Gov Yahaya Bello should answer to allegations by the
Anti-Corruption Network that he siphoned billions of naira through
award of contracts, without due process in addition to five other
companies which allegedly got between N22 million N129 million
respectively.

“It is indeed disheartening that such funds were monies meant
for infrastructural development, provision of healthcare, education
facilities, road construction, payment of salaries and pension and
other benefits, which have been deprived the people since the
inception of the Bello administration.

“Against this background, our party calls on the EFCC, under its
new leadership, to immediately commence investigation by inviting
all those mentioned in the report as well as prosecute any
individual or company indicted in the matter”.

The PDP also urged the EFCC to equally commence investigation on
activities of the Governor as well as the account records of his
administration with a view to prosecuting him immediately he leaves
office at the end of his tenure, if indicted.

The party said nobody should be allowed to hide under the cover
of immunity to get away with criminal pillaging of public resources
entrusted into their hands.