Yahaya Bello used $720k from state treasury for his child’s tuition – EFCC boss alleges

By Innocent Raphael

The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has alleged that embattled former Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello withdrew a staggering $720,000 from the state’s coffers to prepay his child’s school fees.

Olukoyede made the startling revelations during an interactive session with media executives in Abuja on Tuesday

The EFCC boss claimed that Bello orchestrated the transfer of funds to a bureau de change operator, utilizing them for the advanced payment of his child’s tuition.

According to Olukoyede, Bello’s actions were driven by the anticipation of his tenure nearing its conclusion.

This revelation by the EFCC boss, sheds light on potential financial impropriety during Bello’s time in office, raising concerns about accountability and transparency in governance.

He stated: “A sitting governor, because he knew he was leaving office, moved money directly from the government to bureau de change and used it to pay his child’s school fee in advance.

“Over $720,000 in anticipation that he was going to leave the government house. In a poor state like Kogi, you want me to close my eyes under the guise of ‘I’m being used’. Used by who? At this stage of my life.”

The EFCC boss further clarified that he inherited the case file concerning the former Kogi governor and emphasized that he did not instigate the investigation against Bello.

Recall that, on April 17, EFCC operatives surrounded Bello’s residence in Abuja with the intention of arresting him over an alleged N80 billion fraud.

During the siege, Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi paid a visit to his predecessor at the residence, with Bello reportedly escaping after his departure, leading to the former governor being declared wanted by the anti-graft agency.

Furthermore, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed Bello on a watchlist amid allegations that he, along with Alli Bello, the chief of staff to Ododo, and Daudu Suleiman, diverted approximately N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.