The Yahaya Bello-led Kogi State government has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of fraudulent misrepresentation of facts to mislead the court.
The agency had, days ago, secured a court order to freeze Kogi’s salary bailout account, domiciled in Sterling Bank Plc, which it was investigating for alleged mismanagement.
Yahaya Bello said thatp his government is the most transparent and accountable state government in Nigeria.
The government reportedly obtained over N20 billion loan from the bank to augment salary payment, and running cost of the state.
However, the fund was then transferred from the state’s loan account and kept in an interest-yielding account with Sterling Bank.
In response to the court order on Thursday, September 2, 2021, Kogi’s Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, accused the EFCC of fraud at a media briefing attended by other state officials.
He noted that there was only N999,190 left in the account when the freeze order was granted, stating that this proved the fund was appropriately deployed by the government.
The commissioner stated strongly that bank statements and all other records exist to prove that the government did everything by the book.
“We remain concerned that a federal agency of the calibre and responsibilities of the EFCC which is charged to combat financial fraud is the one engaging in fraud and misrepresentation of facts for the purpose of securing needless orders meant to ridicule a court of competent jurisdiction, while simultaneously attempting to drag the pristine white robes of the most transparent and accountable state government in Nigeria, to with, the Kogi State Government led by His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello in their barrel of palm oil,” he said.
Fanwo vowed that the Kogi government will not tolerate EFCC’s malicious actions and will seek redress in court.
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