Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has swore that there is nothing like N20 Billion bail-out fund which officials of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) said it froze recently.
Answering reporters’ questions today, September 7 shortly after an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari, the governor said: “no Kogi state governments salary account is frozen. None whatsoever. None of our accounts is frozen or embargo placed on any of our account by EFCC at all.
“I think it’s just a misrepresentation of facts or is a joke taken too far. My Information Commissioner and all those that are concerned with that lies peddled by the EFCC, I think they have responded appropriately.
“And I will urge each and every Nigerian to please go to Kogi state website and all the facts are there. The Banks have denied that we don’t have such an account. And besides that, the bailout fund that we obtained, we appropriated in line with the agreement and understanding between Kogi state government and the workers.
“And all of these were done, we finished all of these, you know, in the year 2019. “So first, there’s no N20 billion account, or N19 billion era, no fixed deposit account. So I don’t know where the lie is coming from.
“I think in the days ahead, you will hear exactly where the matter shall be resolved. That’s why I said that it is a joke taken too far. And I want to believe that the officials of the EFCC may have misled the commission. Remember that we will not just allow this to lie low because Mr. President pride on fighting corruption. And EFCC is one of the agencies that is being used to fight corruption.
“EFCC should not be seen to be going on a voyage of no discovery, in order that the reputation of the commission and integrity of this particular government remains intact.
“As a person, I came into this office with my integrity high. And I will leave this office of Government with a higher integrity and all of my name that are ringing bell everywhere across the world today will know that actually I earned this beautiful names, not because of stealing. I will never touch one kobo of Kogi state, I will never and I will never allow any of my officials to do so.
“Today, Kogi state is among the first that has published all of our accounts online. “And all of these spendings have been put out there for the whole world to see from bank account, to statements of account, to payroll, all of the documents are all out there.
“That is transparency. I think I challenge Nigerians to challenge all of those governors to publish that same particular bailout form utilisation. And then you’ll be able to join me whichever way.”
