The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has revealed that a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, transferred $720,000 from the government’s coffers to a bureau de change before leaving office to pay in advance for his child’s school fee.

Olukoyede revealed this during an interview with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said, “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 anticipation that he was going to leave the Government House.

“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?”

Olukoyede further stated that he personally reached out to Bello, offering him a chance to clarify the situation in a respectful setting within the EFCC office but the ex-governor reportedly declined to cooperate, citing fears of harassment from an unnamed woman.

The EFCC boss added, “I didn’t initiate the case; I inherited the case file. I called for the file, and I said there are issues here.

“On my own, I called him, which I am not supposed to do, just to honour him as an immediate past governor. ‘Sir, there are issues. I’ve seen this case file. Can you just come let us clarify these issues?’

“He said, ‘Ha! Thank you, my brother. I know, but I can’t come. There’s one lady that has surrounded EFCC with over 100 people to come and embarrass me and intimitade me.’

Bello was said to have suggested that the EFCC come to his village rather than conduct an investigation at the agency’s quarters.

“I said if that is the issue, I’m going to pass you through my own gate, and you will come to my floor. We will accord you that respect. I will invite my operatives; they will interrogate and interview you in my own office. What could be more honourable than that to allay the fear?

“You know what he said: ‘Thank you, sir, but can’t they come to my village? Olukoyede added.

The chairman also highlighted the agency’s achievements during his tenure, stating, “We have recovered close to 120 billion and secured over 1,600 convictions in six months.

“I’m so passionate about the need for us to move forward in this country. We need the EFCC to survive. There are so many victims that we have wiped tears off their eyes, people that have been swindled in their millions. Every day, we keep recovering money for victims.”

PUNCH Online reports that the EFCC chairman, Olukoyede, has vowed to resign from his position if Yahaya Bello is not prosecuted.

The EFCC is seeking to arraign Bello on 19 counts bordering on alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80.2 billion.

The abrupt resignation of Adesola Adeduntan as the Managing Director of First Bank is what many cannot understand.

The news created a frenzy which was controlled by the frontline financial institution by appointing a new Managing Director, Olusegun Alebiosu exactly a day after Adeduntan’s exit to instil hopes in the bank and douse the fears of investors.

Sources within the bank hinted papermacheonline that Adeduntan who was meant to retire in December, 2024 was asked to step aside by the board of the bank as a result of a directive from the CBN.

The board was said to have lost total confidence in the manner he was running the bank and he couldn’t be saved when the directive came from CBN.

The decision to pull the rug under Adeduntan’s feet was hinged to different circumstances.

Papermacheonline can only confirm that one of the allegations was linked to his lifestyle which is said not to be too good for the bank’s image.

There were other allegations which led to disagreement among the board, but the side who wanted Adeduntan out of the bank prevailed after presenting damning evidences.

Adeduntan was on an official assignment in the United States when he tendered his resignation.

He served the bank for 9 years as the CEO.

There were also details of an unconfirmed celebration among the staffers when his resignation was announced.

The First Bank MD is said not to have a budding relationship with his associates and there was also a question of ego.

The deceased senior police officer, who was said to have gone home for the Easter celebration, was alone located at his Petros Academy Street, Federal Low-cost area residence.

Late Oyedemi who was in his 50s was Aide de Camp to late Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala during his eleven-month tenure as governor (January to December 2006

When ogbomosoinsightonline.com arrived at the residence at Petros Academy Street, Federal Low Cost area the police had cordoned off the area but sympathizers were seen in groups discussing the matter in a hushed tone.

“Sometimes he came home with police security l saw him recently driving personally into his beautiful mansion,” a neighbour said.

National Insight reported a police source hinted about a quick investigation into what could lead to the tragic end of a gallant Deputy Police Commissioner.