Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, on January 11, 2026, disclosed that he has fulfilled his promise to prosecute Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Kogi State.
Recall that the EFCC chairman accused Bello of transferring $720,000 from the Kogi State Government’s account to a bureau de change for his child’s school fees, describing the act as “disturbing” given Kogi’s economic condition.
Olukoyede also disclosed that three cases have been filed against Yahaya Bello, saying he has done his work and fulfilled his mandate.
He added that it is now left for judges and courts to determine his conviction.
When asked about his vow to resign if Bello was not prosecuted, Olukoyede revealed that he would not have rendered his resignation as the chairman of the anti-graft commission if he did not personally oversee the completion of the investigation regarding Yahaya Bello.
BACKGROUND
Barely five months after Yahaya Bello completed his second term as governor of Kogi State, he was accused by the anti-graft commission of misappropriating funds totalling ₦80.2 billion and N110 billion, with charges including breach of trust, money laundering, and acquisition of properties with stolen funds.
He was accused of using stolen funds to acquire 12 properties in Abuja, including a N170 million property in Wuse Zone 4 and a N550 million property in Maitama District.
He was also alleged to have sent $570,330 and $556,265 to a TD Bank account in the United States.
THE ENCOUNTER?
Yahaya Bello, a former Kogi State Governor, on September 18, 2024, voluntarily presented himself to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja. He was accompanied by his successor, Usman Ododo, and his followers.
In a dramatic twist, Bello left the EFCC premises without being interrogated over alleged money laundering and corruption charges.
However, the EFCC declared that Bello was not in their custody and remains wanted for alleged N80.2 billion money laundering charges despite Bello’s media team claiming that he was there to clear his name.
THE SIEGE?
A check by WITHIN NIGERIA revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) laid siege in attempts to arrest former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on two separate occasions.
Operatives of the EFCC on April 17, 2024, stormed Bello’s Abuja home in Wuse Zone 4, attempting to arrest him over alleged N80 billion fraud.
In another development, Bello, barely six hours after he had left the EFCC premises, had operatives of the anti-graft agency lay siege at the Kogi State Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, in an attempt to arrest the former Kogi State Governor, leading to a standoff with security personnel.
The siege sparked controversy, resulting in outrage, agitations, advocacy, and arguments centered on violation of rights, an operational module of the anti-graft commission.
A FUGITIVE?
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 18, 2024, declared Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Kogi State, a fugitive due to his alleged involvement in a money laundering case totalling N80,246,470,089.88.
A warrant of arrest was issued to the EFCC by a Federal High Court in Abuja to apprehend Bello.
However, an attempt to arrest Yahaya Bello by the EFCC was foiled by his successor, Usman Ododo, who helped him evade arrest. This prompted the EFCC to declare Bello wanted.
THE ARREST?
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on November 27, 2024, arrested Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State. Bello was arraigned before the FCT High Court in Abuja on November 27, 2024, on charges of diverting N110 billion from the state treasury.
