Yahaya Bello Declines EFCC’s Invitation for Interrogation: EFCC Chairman Reveals
In a startling revelation, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, disclosed how former governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Adoza Bello, declined invitations for interrogation regarding his alleged involvement in money laundering.
Addressing media executives at the EFCC Corporate Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, Olukoyede recounted his personal efforts to invite Bello for questioning. Despite extending ample opportunities for Bello to present himself, including offering to have investigators interrogate him in his own office, Bello consistently declined.
According to Olukoyede, Bello cited concerns about media presence and instead suggested that EFCC operatives come to his village for the interrogation. This refusal came despite allegations of larceny involving the former governor, including the transfer of substantial sums of money from government accounts to pay his children’s school fees in anticipation of leaving office.
Olukoyede also shed light on the EFCC’s efforts to combat fraudulent schemes impacting the foreign exchange market. He revealed the discovery of a new fraudulent scheme called P2P, or peer-to-peer trading, operating outside official banking channels. The EFCC has already frozen more than 300 accounts linked to this scheme.
In emphasizing the EFCC’s commitment to Nigeria’s economic growth and development, Olukoyede highlighted the Commission’s significant achievements, including the recovery of over N120 billion from fraudsters within six months and securing more than 1300 convictions.
He called upon Nigerians to support the EFCC’s efforts, emphasizing that such support contributes to the nation’s progress and well-being. Olukoyede stressed the importance of collective dedication to the nation’s welfare, asserting that backing the EFCC is synonymous with working for Nigeria’s growth.
The revelations made by Olukoyede underscore the challenges faced in combatting financial crimes and the crucial role of institutions like the EFCC in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic integrity and stability.
