Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State has vehemently denied recent corruption allegations leveled against former governor Yahaya Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), asserting that the charges represent a politically motivated witch-hunt.
In a statement delivered on Friday via his commissioner for information, Kingsley Fanwo, Governor Ododo refuted claims that Kogi State funds had gone missing under Bello’s administration.
The statement comes in response to an amended charge filed by the EFCC, implicating Bello in the diversion of approximately N100 billion belonging to the state in September 2015.
The amended charge primarily targets Alli, chief of staff to Governor Ododo, and Daudu Suleiman, listing them as defendants in a 17-count case.
Despite the allegations, Governor Ododo urged the EFCC to refrain from involving Bello in what he labeled as an “ongoing persecution,” orchestrated by certain political entities aimed at tarnishing Bello’s reputation.
The statement read, “As a subnational in the Nigerian nationhood, we wish to express our utmost respect for agencies set up to perform specific functions towards the greatness of Nigeria.
“The desperation of the EFCC to hastily and for glaring political reasons, hound the immediate past Governor on their corruption list is unfortunate and speaks volume on how we reward altruistic leadership in our nation.
“For the records, we wish to make it clear that Kogi’s funds are not missing and that the EFCC is trying so hard to find what is not missing.
“We therefore call on the EFCC to desist from mentioning the name of Kogi State in its ongoing persecution, orchestrated by some political actors in and around the Presidency bent on destroying the image of Alh. Yahaya Bello and Kogi State.
“The amended charges in which the name of the former Governor was mentioned are false, frivolous, fictitious and far from the truth. They are cooked-up charges that signpost their desperation to call a dog a bad name in order to hang it.
“The intention was to sensationalize the whole scenario and promote a media war against the former Governor and other officials of Government.”
Additionally, the Kogi State government called upon Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu to initiate a special probe into the matter, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the federal government’s anti-corruption efforts.
