BY Idris Shehu
The Kogi state government has distanced itself from the arraignment of two persons by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over money laundering charges.
On Thursday, the EFCC said it had arraigned Ali Bello, identified as a nephew of Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, before a federal high court in Abuja.
Bello was arraigned alongside one Dauda Suleiman on a 10-count charge of alleged misappropriation and money laundering which include the withdrawal of N10.2 billion from the state’s treasury for personal use.
The defendants, which include one Abdulsalami Hudu, a cashier who is now at large, were remanded in prison pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.
Reacting to the report in a statement on Friday, Kingsley Fanwo, the commissioner for information, said the Kogi government knows nothing about the people arrested and arraigned by the anti-graft body.
Fanwo called on EFCC to do a thorough check on the allegations.
“Let it be on record that no money belonging to the Kogi Government was laundered,” he said.
“For many years, Kogi has won awards as one of the most transparent state governments such that an anti-graft agency can use Kogi as an example of transparency and excellence.”
Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned till February 6, 2023.
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