The Kogi state government says the allegation of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that it mismanaged funds
similar to the “mark of the beast” is false.
Last month, the federal high court in Lagos froze a Kogi
state salary bailout account domiciled in Sterling Bank Plc, over N20 billion
loan obtained from the bank.
The interim order followed an ex parte application by the
anti-graft agency. The commission had said the state government allegedly fixed
N666,666,666.64 bailout funds in Sterling Bank to yield interest.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Kingsley
Fanwo, Kogi commissioner of information, said the allegation is false.
“The EFCC also swore under oath before the court that her
own investigations confirmed part of the funds corresponding to the Biblical
Mark of the Beast in the amount of N666,666,666.64 to have been misappropriated
by the Kogi state government,” Fanwo said.
“The commission even swore that as of a specified date this
year, to wit, April 1st 2021, which is of course the globally notorious April
Fools’ Day, the sum of N19,333,333,333.36 was allegedly standing to the credit
of the account into which we had allegedly diverted and fixed monies meant for
the payment of salaries to our workers.
“The EFCC alleged to the court in self-righteous indignation
that she sought an ex parte order to secure the balance of the alleged funds
still in the account from further dissipation pending investigation and
possible prosecution of unnamed malfeasors.
“The current balance in the said Kogi State Bail Out Account
and as of the date of the alleged ex-parte Order is the sum of N999,190.50.
“Accordingly, the allegation that any part of the bailout
fund was not used for the purpose for which it was secured is not only patently
false, it is malicious and unsupportable by any records, including bank
statements relating to all material times.”
The commissioner expressed concern that EFCC which is
supposed to be engaging in fighting corruption is “engaging in fraud”.
“We remain concerned that a Federal Agency of the calibre
and responsibilities of the EFCC which is charged to combat financial fraud is
the one engaging in fraud and misrepresentation of facts for the purpose of
securing needless Orders meant to ridicule a court of competent jurisdiction
while simultaneously attempting to drag the pristine white robes of the most
transparent and accountable state government in Nigeria, to with, the Kogi
State Government led by His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello in their barrel
of palm oil,” he said.
“The Kogi State Government will seek appropriate redress and
will resist most vehemently the instant attempt and any further attempt to
bring her into disrepute.”
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