The Kogi State House of Assembly has absolved the state government and Governor Yahaya Bello of any wrong doing and condemned the recent allegations of N20 billion bailout fraud leveled against the state government by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
A motion raised by the Speaker of the House, Prince Matthew Kolawole, during sitting on Tuesday, explained that the legislative arm of government, through its Public Accounts Committee, investigated the claims by EFCC and found out that the allegations were false.
Kolawole emphasised that no fixed deposit account was discovered in the course of the House’s thorough investigations.
“The allegations were politically motivated. It is politics taken too far.
“The commercial has responded already that the account mentioned in the allegation is non-existent. The letter is in public domain. The bank’s letter has vindicated Governor Yahaya Bello,” he said.
The chairman House Committee on Finance, Hon Collins Musa said his committee has investigated the matter, noting that both the office of the Accountant General of the state and Sterling Bank had stated that the alleged twenty billion naira bail out fixed deposit account does not exist in their organization.
Also, the House of Assembly unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello, commending the state government for its transparency, accountability and judicious use of the resources of the state.
Kolawale also said the bailout funds released to the state has been judiciously used in the payment of salaries to the state civil servants. He maintained that even the office of the Accountant General of the Federation has applauded the Governor of Kogi State on financial prudence.
The Speaker called on the EFCC to tender an unreserved apology to Governor Yahaya Bello and the people of the state for the fatal error that has soiled the name of Kogi State.