Exclusive: Nigerian Anti-Graft Agency, EFCC Set To Investigate Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello For Alleged Fraud

Exclusive: Nigerian Anti-Graft Agency, EFCC Set To Investigate Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello For Alleged Fraud....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Date: January 29, 2024

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly set its sights on the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, as it gears up to launch a probe into alleged fraud and corrupt practices during his eight-year tenure. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

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The plan involves inviting Yahaya Bello for questioning, demanding accountability for his actions during the period of his administration. Bello, whose immunity expired with the conclusion of his tenure as Kogi State’s executive governor, may face arrest by the commission over alleged money laundering and financial breaches, as reported by Daily Times.

The conclusion of Yahaya Bello’s tenure marked the end of his immunity, making him susceptible to investigations by anti-corruption agencies. Usman Ododo, a member of his party, succeeded him as governor of Kogi State.

SaharaReporters had previously covered a legal battle between the EFCC and Yahaya Bello. Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, dismissed the commission’s suit seeking the forfeiture of 14 properties and a sum of N400 million linked to the former governor. The court cited Bello’s immunity from prosecution under the 1999 constitution during his tenure.

The EFCC, in its notice of appeal, argued that Justice Oweibo made legal errors in dismissing the suit, emphasizing that the immunity granted during Bello’s tenure doesn’t extend to properties suspected to be proceeds of crime. The commission also contended that the court failed to align itself with previous decisions by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court on the interpretation of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution.

Moreover, the EFCC asserted that the trial court erred in overturning a preservation order for properties suspected to have been derived from illegal activities, despite the finding that Bello failed to prove the legitimate origin of funds used to acquire the properties under the order.

In a significant development on February 22, 2023, Justice Oweibo granted an interim forfeiture of Bello’s properties in Lagos, Abuja, and the United Arab Emirates. The court also ordered the preservation of N400 million recovered from Aminu Falala, suspected to be derived from unlawful activities.

Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, counsel to the EFCC, successfully moved the application, presenting evidence that the properties, including a hotel apartment in Dubai, were reasonably suspected to have been derived from illegal activities.

Justice Oweibo granted the motion, instructing the EFCC to publish the interim order in a national newspaper within 14 days, and adjourned the case to March 28, 2023. The legal proceedings promise to shed light on the allegations against the former governor and may have far-reaching implications for his post-tenure activities.

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