Abuja, Nigeria – The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has reaffirmed that his agency has fully discharged its responsibilities in the high-profile corruption cases against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, emphasizing that the matters are now before the courts and progressing accordingly.
Speaking during an exclusive interview on Channels Television's Sunday Politics program aired on January 11, 2026, Olukoyede addressed public concerns over the pace of Bello's prosecution. He referenced his earlier vow made in April 2024, when he publicly declared: “If I do not personally oversee the completion of the investigation regarding Yahaya Bello, I will tender my resignation as the chairman of the EFCC.” Olukoyede asserted that he has honored this commitment, stating: “Have I not made good that promise of commitment? Is Yahaya Bello not being prosecuted? The case is still in court. I have three cases against Yahaya Bello. Am I the judge who would determine the conviction? I have done my work. I have fulfilled my mandate.”
The EFCC boss urged Nigerians to recognize the agency's efforts and provide encouragement for continued anti-corruption work. He highlighted that Bello has been investigated, charges filed, and the cases are “gaining traction” in the judicial system. Olukoyede stressed that while the EFCC handles investigations and prosecutions up to the point of arraignment and trial, the final determination of guilt rests with the judiciary.
Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, faces multiple criminal proceedings instituted by the EFCC. In one case, he is standing trial on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged property fraud and money laundering amounting to N110 billion, alongside co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu. This fresh indictment was filed in September 2024, following earlier proceedings. Bello pleaded not guilty to these charges, and the matter is ongoing before the relevant court.
In a separate but related proceeding at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Bello faces a 19-count charge involving alleged fraud and money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion. The case, which stems from accusations of diverting and misappropriating Kogi State funds during his tenure, saw Bello arraigned in December 2024, where he also entered a not guilty plea. The court granted him bail in the sum of N500 million, though he was remanded briefly pending fulfillment of bail conditions. Trial proceedings, including witness testimonies, continue, with the EFCC presenting evidence amid ongoing legal arguments.
The EFCC initially declared Bello wanted in April 2024 over the N80.2 billion allegations, after he allegedly failed to honor invitations for questioning. This led to a dramatic standoff, including attempts to arrest him at his residence, which were thwarted by legal interventions and court orders. The commission withdrew an appeal against a restraining order on his arrest later that month, paving the way for eventual arraignment.
During the January 11 interview, Olukoyede provided fresh details on one aspect of the allegations, accusing Bello of transferring $720,000 directly from the Kogi State Government's account to a bureau de change operator shortly before leaving office. According to the EFCC chairman, the funds were used as an advance payment for his child's school fees in anticipation of exiting Government House. Olukoyede described the transaction as egregious, particularly in a resource-constrained state like Kogi: “A sitting governor, because he knows he is going, moved money directly from government to bureau de change, used it to pay the child’s school fee in advance, $720,000 in advance... In a poor state like Kogi, and you want me to close my eyes to that under the guise of ‘I’m being used’? Being used by who at this stage of my life?”
This revelation, first disclosed in April 2024 during the height of the investigation, has remained a focal point of the EFCC's case, underscoring allegations of personal enrichment through state resources. Bello has previously denied the claims, asserting that no such misuse occurred.
Public scrutiny of the Bello cases has persisted, with critics questioning delays in high-profile corruption prosecutions and raising concerns about potential political interference. Olukoyede countered such narratives in the interview, explaining that complex cases involving politically exposed persons require extensive evidence gathering, forensic audits, and witness preparation to ensure prosecutorial success. He reiterated the EFCC's independence and commitment to due process, dismissing notions of selective enforcement.
The Bello saga represents one of the most prominent anti-corruption efforts under Olukoyede's leadership since his appointment in 2023. As the trials advance in 2026, they will test the judiciary's handling of former high officials and the EFCC's ability to secure convictions in graft cases. Nigerians continue to monitor developments closely, with many viewing the outcome as a barometer for the fight against corruption in the country.
