Kogi government denies EFCC money laundering allegations

[ad_1]

The Kogi State government has debunked a money laundering allegation made against it by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as support for government persecution by the EFCC headed by Abdulrasheed Bawa .

The government, in a strong reaction to a statement by the EFCC on Thursday, observed that the Commission, with its current allegations, had made it clear that it was desperate to save face after the Commission hit a roadblock during his 20 billion naira media lawsuit.

Kogi State Information and Communications Commissioner Kingsley Fanwo however noted that just like the banking matter when the commission spoke to the media before proper investigation, adding that the EFCC was again about to embarrass itself and put its legacy by jumping again for the media to continue its persecution of the Kogi government.

ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

While insisting that no money belonging to the Kogi State government was laundered, Fanwo said: “The EFCC media trial is a calculated and orchestrated plan to embarrass the government of state by suing its officials and associates with trumped up charges to satisfy the fang destroyer of their paymasters.

The government, in its reaction, said that the inclination of the EFCC was against the recognition of due process and financial accountability given to the Kogi State government by international organisations. He particularly cited the recent honor bestowed on the Kogi State Government by the World Bank-funded SFTAS project in which Kogi was lifted above its peers in financial accountability.

The statement read: Our attention has been drawn to a press release posted on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s website that they have indicted certain individuals they believe are linked to money laundering. money belonging to the Kogi State Government.

Inasmuch as we would not wish to delve into the depths of the case which is now pending, it is pertinent to draw the attention of the general public to the fact that the desperation of the EFCC to crucify the State of Kogi at all costs may have landed them in another problem. Unlike the EFCC which is notorious for its serial contempt of court under the current leadership; we pledge to allow the law to take its course in the matter and to our innocence, again, proven beyond reasonable doubt.

It is worth recalling that this same EFCC once accused the Kogi State government of hiding N20 billion of bailout funds in a fixed deposit account at Sterling Bank. When the legal fireworks were about to ruffle their biased feathers, they quickly retreated and claimed the money had been returned to the Central Bank of Nigeria. So far, they have shown the Nigerians no evidence of the return, even when Sterling Bank Plc refused under oath the return of any monies belonging to the Kogi State government. It is well known that what does not exist cannot be taken or returned.

The EFCC media trial is a calculated and orchestrated plan to embarrass the state government by lashing out at its officials and associates with false accusations to satisfy the destructive fangs of their paymasters.

Let it be recorded that no money belonging to the Kogi State Government has been laundered. SFTAS is a World Bank accountability project aimed at ensuring that the government remains accountable to the people. For many years Kogi has won awards as one of the most transparent state governments in Nigeria. A responsible anti-corruption agency would have made Kogi an example of transparency and excellence. However, with its endless wild goose chase, Nigerians would even wonder if the EFCC’s blatantly biased corruption twins are only designed for Kogi State.

It is no surprise that the EFCC feels disappointed that the funds they claimed were stolen from state coffers were used to build the best hospitals in Nigeria, good roads, the best schools that are about to be ordered. We cannot prevent their descent to the rank of political pawn. We will continue to put the resources of our state to work for our people.

Nigerians know that the recent Gestapo-like operation against the state was occasioned by the failure of the EFCC to sell the “fixed” bailout fund debacle to the people. They became desperate to save their face from the disgrace bestowed on them by their “Destroy Kogi” agenda.

We urge our people not to take the law into their own hands because we are prepared in fact and in conscience for the legal battle that lies ahead.

[ad_2]