Bello explained that in order to preserve his reputation and that of his administration, he has chosen a legal and lawful means to achieve vindication from the allegations by EFCC.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has again dismissed the allegations of money laundering levelled against his administration by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Last month, the anti-graft agency arraigned a suspect identified as Ali Bello, a nephew of the governor, and four others before a Federal High Court in Abuja. The EFCC also told the court that Governor Bello’s wife, who is part of the defendants, was at large.
Reacting to EFCC’s allegations and arrests, the governor said on Channels Television’s live programme, Politics Today, on Friday, “It’s a joke taken too far. I think it’s just a media witch-hunt. (It’s) a political witch-hunt or media propaganda – let me put it that way – against myself and the government of Kogi State.”
According to Bello, his administration has enjoyed favourable local and international ratings, including from the World Bank in terms of transparency, accountability, and judicious utilisation of resources.
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“The reason is best known to them (EFCC). The matter has been taken to court. It’s in court and we have competent lawyers that are handling it. I can assure you that it is a fluke,” he said.
“I rose up to this level today because of my integrity. I will leave office with my integrity high. I will never do anything that will dent it. What I have and what I’m building and what I will ever cherish is my name and integrity, and I will never allow anybody to drag me into the mud.”
Bello explained that in order to preserve his reputation and that of his administration, his administration has chosen a legal and lawful means to achieve vindication from EFCC’s allegations.
“An allegation is a mere allegation. Until proven by a competent court of law, you can never ascribe me to such an alleged crime or misdeed. Besides, we have an anti-graft agency that you and I know does not respect the law, does not respect court orders,” he added.