Kogi Assembly Probes N20bn Loan

By Ibrahim Oyewale

Piqued by the outcome of the litigation arising from the allegation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the Kogi State Government that N20 billion was transferred to another account.
Although the anti-graft agency had withdrawn the case, the House of Assembly has vowed to investigate the matter to a logical conclusion.
The Speaker of the state Assembly, Matthew Kolawole, who disclosed this while speaking during the presentation of the 2022 Appropriation Bill by the state Governor, Yahaya Bello, last Thursday, said the Assembly would stop at nothing to get to the root of the mater.
Kolawole explained the action of the EFCC is a clear manifestation of the probity and transparency of the governor’s style of governance.
According to the Speaker, “This Assembly is really proud of you on this irrespective of the fact that a committee of this Assembly has investigated this matter. The Assembly will soon invite the state Accountant-General, the state Auditor-General, the state Commissioner for Finance and Lokoja branch Manager of Sterling Bank for further clarification in order to unravel which money was returned to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
He also commended the governor, saying: “It will be unfair to your administration if I end this address without congratulating you on the manner you have steered the ship of state despite the several challenges confronting the state. Kogi State is really blessed to have you at the helm of affairs at this time.
“In view of the exemplary achievements that have brought unparalleled development to the state, this Assembly was inspired to pass a vote of confidence on you, and we urged that Your Excellency to hearken to the calls by Nigerians to contest for the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The monumental success on security that has placed Kogi as one of the safest states in the country and substantially free of banditry and kidnapping are what we believe will be replicated to rid Nigeria of every form of insurgency with you as president and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in May 29, 2023.”