19.3bn bailout scandal: Mischievous elements hire EFCC to discredit Yahaya Bello — Commissioner

…As Governor gives ultimatum for retraction of statement

…Demands apology from EFCC

By Uthman Salami

The Kogi Government has demanded apology from the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) over the alleged ownership of the N19.3 billion reportedly returned to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by the EFCC.

The state has also threatened legal action, if the EFCC did not within 48 hours, retract the statement it issued that the fund reportedly returned to the CBN, belonged to Kogi State government.

Earlier, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ,on Friday, said it returned the N19. 33 billion Kogi salary bailout funds it recovered to the CBN.

The startling revelation was made known by the spokesperson of the anti-graft agency, Wilson Uwujaren through a statement in Abuja, on Friday.

While addresing newsmen in Lagos on Sunday, the Kogi Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, labelled the anti-graft agency’s claims as “mischievous, false and politically motivated.”

He said, “Let it be known that the Kogi government has disbursed its bailout loans for the purpose of which it was granted as of October 2019.

“There is therefore no hidden bailout funds/loan belonging to Kogi that is capable of being returned to the CBN or frozen by an order of Court.

“The EFCC knows this, which is why it withdrew the suit it filed in Court on the bailout fund,” he said.

Fanwo further reiterated that the state does not operate a fixed deposit Sterling Bank account, which had been clarified by the bank in its letter, dated Sept. 1.

In his words, “The Kogi government knows absolutely nothing about the ownership and control of the said N19.3 billion, allegedly returned to the CBN.

“The Kogi government did not also open or operate a Kogi State salary bailout fixed deposit account, No. 0073572696, where the said funds were allegedly warehoused and dissipated and now allegedly returned to the CBN.”

Mr Fanwo, however, dared the EFCC to provide convincing details of the fixed deposit account, as no one or group could operate such an account without a mandate, an agreement as to terms including tenure, interest rates and the rest.

Also, Mr. Fanwo through the statement further accused mischievous and disgruntled elements of hiring the anti-graft agency to soil the name of the Governor.

The Commisioner claimed that the whole saga was aimed at tarnishing the rising political image of Governor Yahaya Bello, bringing him to disrepute by portraying him as a corrupt governor/person.

“The EFCC must be mindful of how this issue will affect the fortunes of the state, shake investor confidence and the possibility of setting the people of Kogi against its government.

“Consequently, the Kogi government demands a retraction of the statement and all allegations of crimes levied against the Kogi government and its governor.

“We further demand an apology published within 48 hours from today, in one national daily and on all EFCC official and social media platforms, addressed to the governor and the entire government and people of Kogi.”