Abuja, Nigeria – The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has reaffirmed that he has fulfilled his public promise to ensure the prosecution of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, underscoring that the matter is now firmly before the nation’s courts.
In a recent televised interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Olukoyede addressed widespread public scrutiny over the pace and status of the high-profile case. The EFCC boss recalled that in April 2024, he made a solemn vow to resign from his position if Bello was not prosecuted — a bold pledge that captured national attention at the time.
What Olukoyede Has Achieved
According to Olukoyede, the anti-graft agency has completed its investigative work and filed multiple cases against the former governor, satisfying its constitutional mandate to investigate and prosecute alleged financial crimes.
- Three separate charges have been filed against Bello in different courts.
- The former governor faces a 16-count charge of property fraud worth approximately ₦110 billion, along with co-accused Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
- In another proceeding, Bello is accused in a 19-count charge involving alleged fraud and money laundering totaling ₦80.2 billion.
Olukoyede stressed that while the EFCC’s role is to investigate and prosecute, it is ultimately the judiciary’s responsibility to determine guilt or innocence. “Am I the judge who will decide conviction? I have done my work. I have fulfilled my mandate,” he said.
The Crux of the Allegations
One of the most striking accusations highlighted by Olukoyede involves the alleged misuse of public funds shortly before Bello left office. The EFCC claims Bello transferred $720,000 from Kogi State Government funds to a bureau de change, purportedly to pay his child’s school fees in advance — an act the chairman described as particularly troubling given the economic conditions in the state.
Addressing Public Concern
Despite criticism about delays in the conclusion of the trial, Olukoyede insisted that lengthy investigations are common, especially in complex corruption cases involving politically exposed persons. He pointed out that establishing robust evidence for court proceedings takes time, reinforcing the EFCC’s commitment to due process.
He also urged Nigerians to support the EFCC’s efforts, noting that prosecution alone represents significant progress in the fight against corruption — even as the courts deliberate on eventual verdicts.
What This Means for Nigeria
The reaffirmation by EFCC that its mandate has been fulfilled brings a renewed focus on judicial proceedings and Nigeria’s broader war against corruption. Olukoyede’s stance signals that anti-graft institutions are committed to accountability, while highlighting the critical role of the judicial system in delivering final judgments on complex financial crime cases
