Yahaya Bello: Where the EFCC misfired — Dele Momodu

Accusations have been levied against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by veteran journalist Dele Momodu, who criticized the agency’s handling of the ongoing case involving former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello.

During an Instagram Live session, Momodu expressed dissatisfaction with the EFCC’s investigative procedures, alleging a lack of due diligence in their probe of Bello.

A prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Momodu questioned the EFCC’s assertions that Bello utilized government funds to prepay his children’s school fees before the conclusion of his tenure.

He condemned the EFCC’s conduct in pursuing the case against Bello, suggesting that the commission’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, should have gleaned lessons from the fates of his predecessors, who, according to Momodu, faced ignominious exits.

“I watched the EFCC chairman, I think either last week or the week before the last, I was almost crying because the way he went on and on..if I don’t do this… spitting fire and all.. you don’t have to do media trial.”

Momodu emphasized the importance of adhering to the rule of law and conducting investigations meticulously and professionally. He lamented the EFCC chairman’s aggressive approach, advocating against conducting trials in the media.

When asked about the veracity of the EFCC’s claims against Yahaya Bello, Momodu refrained from direct accusations but suggested that the agency had erred in its investigation, citing discrepancies in the timeline of events related to the alleged misuse of funds.

“When you said a man took out money and paid for his children’s school fees, just as he was about to leave power, and you go and check the documents and you see that these things started happening from 2021, 2022 (laughs); I am not an illiterate.”

The EFCC had accused Yahaya Bello and three others of money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion during his tenure as governor. Olukoyede further alleged that Bello withdrew $720,000 to cover his children’s school fees before leaving office, a claim vehemently denied by the former governor.