In a recent session of the Kogi State House of Assembly, members passed a resolution urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to remove the ‘wanted’ tag placed on the immediate past Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello.

The resolution was reached during plenary on Tuesday, following a presentation by Jibrin Abu, the representative of Ajaokuta State Constituency.

Abu brought forth a motion titled, ‘A call to end all false, frivolous, fictitious, and far from the truth smear campaign against the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.’

Abu alleged that the anti-graft agency had been engaging in a witch-hunt against Bello, stating, “Kogi State, by allocation standard, is not rich so much so that N80.4b will be missing that the State will not be shaken to its foundation. This claim by the EFCC should be sanctioned and taken as laughable. Innocent Nigerians and Kogi State citizens that bought into the lies should by their personal volition withdraw their support.”

Former Deputy Speaker of the House, Enema Paul, echoed Abu’s sentiments, urging the EFCC to uphold the rule of law.

In his ruling, Speaker Aliyu Yusuf emphasized the importance of the EFCC operating within the boundaries of the law.

He stated, “This House is not against the EFCC doing their job but they should do it within the ambit of the law and not in a Gestapo way. The country belongs to all of us, so we must respect the law and work with it.”

Recent developments have shed light on the ongoing investigation into the actions of the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to the anti-graft agency, Bello is alleged to have withdrawn $720,000 from the state’s accounts to prepay his child’s school fees just before leaving office on January 27, 2024.

Speaking to journalists at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, Chief Ola Olukoyede revealed that Bello transferred the funds from the state coffers to a Bureau de Change operator for this purpose.

Olukoyede expressed incredulity at the move, highlighting the disparity between such actions and the socio-economic conditions in a state like Kogi.

“A sitting governor, because he knew he was leaving office, moved money directly from the government to Bureau de Change (and) used it to pay his child’s school fee in advance,” Olukoyede stated, emphasizing the sum involved and the implications for governance and accountability.

Olukoyede emphasized his commitment to ensuring the thorough prosecution of Bello, asserting that he would resign as EFCC chairman if the ex-governor is not brought to justice.

Also, he pledged to hold accountable those who obstructed the arrest of Bello during a recent operation at his residence in Abuja.

The EFCC is pursuing charges against Bello relating to alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds totaling N80.2 billion.

Despite potential challenges and attacks against the agency, Olukoyede affirmed his resolve and that of his team to uphold the rule of law and combat corruption in Nigeria.

Yahaya Bello served as the governor of Kogi State from January 27, 2016, until January 27, 2024, when he handed over leadership to Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Efforts by EFCC operatives to apprehend Bello on April 17, 2024, were reportedly thwarted when Ododo intervened and allegedly facilitated Bello’s escape.

In response, the EFCC declared Bello wanted and warned against any further obstruction of its operations, a stance supported by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, who urged Bello to surrender himself to the authorities.

The Management of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State has taken swift action by suspending Mfonobong Udoudom, a lecturer in the General Studies Department, following allegations of sexual harassment involving a female student.

In a statement issued by the university’s spokesperson, Okwunka Omeaku, on Tuesday, it was emphasized that UNN maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual misconduct, particularly between staff and students.

Omeaku highlighted that the university has a comprehensive Sexual Harassment Policy in place to regulate interactions among its academic community.

“The management of the University of Nigeria has suspended Mr (not a Professor) Mfonobong David Udoudom, a lecturer in our General Studies division, who was caught in a video allegedly harassing a female student,” the statement read.

The suspension, effective immediately and indefinite, awaits the outcome of a disciplinary panel established by the university to investigate the incident thoroughly.

According to reports, the lecturer allegedly threatened the female student, asserting that she would not pass his course unless she acquiesced to sexual advances.

The situation escalated after the students completed an examination for the course, with the lecturer purportedly warning some female students of dire consequences if they did not comply with his demands.

The female student, in a courageous move, informed her husband of the harassment, who subsequently filed a complaint with the university authorities.

Acting on the complaint, the university advised the student to cooperate while discreetly addressing the issue.

A viral video depicting the lecturer partially naked further fueled public outrage and prompted swift action from the university.