EFCC seals 50 houses, other properties owned by Yahaya Bello over N10bn fraud as Kogi workers celebrate bleak Christmas

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sealed off over 50 houses and other properties in different choice locations across the country belonging to the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over his involvement in an alleged money laundering case to the tune of N10.2bn.

The governor is being investigated for allegedly siphoning over N10.2 billion from the state government account, through his nephew, Aliyu Bello and one Abdulsalami Hudu, a Cashier of Kogi State House Administration (now at large).

Aliyu alongside Abdulsalami Hudu were arrested and arraigned before Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday on 10 counts bordering on misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of N10.2 billion.

This is as the hope of many workers and pensioners in the state to mark this year's Christmas still hangs in the balance, as the civil servants and retirees lament non-payment of their salaries and pensions by the government.

A source within the anti-graft agency who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity revealed that some of the properties, including a five-bedroom fully detached duplex and 150-room five star luxury hotel in Kogi and Abuja respectively were allegedly acquired with proceeds of N10bn money laundering fraud.

He said, "Yes, I can authoritatively confirm that properties of the governor, including 50 houses, hotels and others in different locations in the country have been sealed by detectives of the EFCC attached to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering.

"Some of the properties so far sealed were said to have been allegedly acquired from proceeds of the money siphoned by the governor through his nephew. The EFCC is committed to pursuing the case despite the distractions from the governor and his sympathiser and the governor may finally forfeit the property among other consequences if finally proven guilty."

Meanwhile, workers in Kogi State who shared their pains and agonies with our correspondents expressed disappointment over the government's inability to pay them their salaries and pensions, leaving them unable to meet their daily needs.

Noting that the development has ruined their plans to celebrate the season with their loved ones, the workers lamented that they have for months being receiving salary payments piecemeal with some getting as little as 20 percent.

According to Yakubu Oseni, a civil servant in the employ of Kogi State said, "It is quite shameful that we will not be celebrating the yuletide season with our colleagues from other states across the country because we have a selfish, non performing, wicked and corrupt government led by Yahaya Bello who has continued to deny us our salaries and pensions.

"It is a few hours until Christmas and while other state governments have paid their worker's December salaries and even a 13th month salary, we are yet to see November salary. Is this not wickedness? A government of favouritism, cronyism and nepotism.

"Imagine not being able to pay workers their due salaries and wages but siphoned over N10bn of public funds through his nephew and he is busy buying houses and other properties in different choice locations across the country. This is apart from the huge public funds he expended pursuing his joke of a presidential ambition. Who did this to us as a people? How did we get here? This man is the worst thing that has happened to Kogi State. EFCC must further investigate him and help Kogi people recover all our monies looted by this man through his families and cronies."

Greediness among our politicians is making life unbearable for the average Nigerian.
How long do we have on earth to acquire all dis properties

This is mind boggling. And he wanted to be President. The effrontery of the youth to corrupt acquisitions is a deadly cancer to the redemption of this nation. That is the reason, the old folks refuse to leave the political play field

Imagine a common a Nigeria man is praying for just one, this guys should be locked up with the monsters they created

Hmmn

Source?

The sooner we realize Obi is our best choice, then we can start making headway...

Do you know how rare it is to have a Nigerian politician tell you "If you have found that i misappropriated tax payers monies in any capacity, i would stop my campaign"...

Nigerians had better be wise and vote wisely..

To think that this failure of a governor was contesting for president of the country is a huge joke.

50 houses?
Well, there's nothing wrong for anyone to work hard and genuinely acquire properties from his sweat.

But to misappropriate public fund to fund live styles like this, is wickedness and a demonstration of poverty of the mind.