News

Osun Accountant General Resigns, Warns Banks against Withdrawal

Published

6 years ago

September 9, 2018

Eric

The alleged resignation of the Accountant General of Osun State, Mr. Alaba Kolawole, has sparked controversies and allegation of fraud against the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led government in the state.

There are claims that the Accountant General, who celebrated his 60 birthday in July, was granted an extension of service by the governor until October but Kolawole reportedly tendered his resignation on Friday.

He was said to have written letters to some commercial banks that they should no longer honour any cheque bearing his signature starting from Monday, September 10.

But the Commissioner for Information in the state, Mr. Adelani Baderinwa, when contacted told our correspondent that the accountant general did not resign but that he retired on the account of clocking the mandatory age of 60.

The commissioner later issued a statement on Kolawole’s retirement and said Aregbesola had accepted the resignation and wished him well in his future endeavours.

The statement read, “The Accountant General of the State of Osun, Mr. Alaba Kolawole, has retired from the service.

“Mr. Kolawole retired from service, having gotten to the threshold age of 60 years a few weeks back, in line with the civil service rules and practice.

“He had served the state meritoriously in various capacities since he joined the service some decades ago and he was appointed the Accountant General of the state by Governor Rauf Aregbesola in 2012 when he reached the pinnacle of his career.

“Mr. Kolawole was known to be diligent and hard-working in his duties while in office and the service will miss him and his contributions.”

But the Peoples Democratic Party in the state has linked the alleged sudden resignation of Kolawole to the secret release of N16.67bn election fund to Osun State by the All Progressives Congress-controlled Federal Government.

The state Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Soji Adagunodo, who said this in a statement, also called on anti-corruption agencies to investigate the development.

Adagunodo added that the issue also confirmed the several concerns raised by the PDP about the manner in which Aregbesola had been handling the finances of the state in the last eight years.

The PDP also berated the Federal Government for allegedly secretly funding the APC election through a selective disbursement of Paris Club refund to Osun State.

The statement read, “The sudden and controversial resignation of the Accountant General of Osun State, Mr Alaba Kolawole, is linked to the secret disbursement of a sum of N16.67bn election funds to the state by the Federal Government.

“We also have it on good authority that top officials of the Ministry of Finance and the Accountant General have raised concerns about the manner in which Governor Aregbesola is applying another N13bn recently refunded to Osun State for federal roads purportedly rehabilitated by the state.”

The opposition party expressed surprise at why the governor had not paid arrears of workers’ 34 months salaries and pensions.

News

Ex-Gov Bello Stripped of Security Details, Placed on Watchlist

Published

4 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Eric

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, on a watchlist, just as the police headquarters in Abuja “ordered the withdrawal of all men attached to his excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former executive governor of Kogi state”.

Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 18 after his absence from the federal high court in Abuja “stalled his arraignment”.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

In a statement signed by DS Umar, assistant comptroller of immigration, on behalf of Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the NIS, the agency said “the above named person has been placed on watch list”.

“The subject is being prosecuted for breach of trust and money laundering. If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation for further action,” the statement reads.

On April 17, the EFCC ended its siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the house and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.

News

N80.2b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex- Gov Bello Wanted

Published

22 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted. Yahaya Bello was declared wanted for offences bordering on economic and financial crimes, with special emphasis to an alleged N82.2 billion fraud.

This was contained in a press statement made available to news men on Thursday.

The statement signed by Commission’s management reads as follows:

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCCfor offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”

News

EFCC Seeks Military’s Help to Arrest Fleeing Ex-Gov Bello

Published

24 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned to April 23, the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84billion money laundering.

At the sitting, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that Bello was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

Phinro complained that the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.

Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment.

Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.

Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor.

He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter.

He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.

Counsel for the EFCC, however, disagreed with the submission of the counsel to Bello.

The EFCC counsel held that the ruling in the substantive matter on the suit was delivered on March 17, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court.

He cleared the air that the court in its ruling held that for the former governor to be arrested or arraigned, the EFCC must first seek leave from the court to do so.

He said it was in line with that judgment that the EFCC, through an exparte application, filed for the order seeking the arrest of the former governor which was granted by the court.

Counsel for Yahaya Bello, however, insisted before the court that the order for the ex-governor’s arrest was made out of jurisdiction. He said the former governor is not a fugitive, but relying on the order of the Kogi State High Court to take protection.

On Wednesday, EFCC operatives stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and spent most part of the day attempting to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor.

The EFCC subsequently warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The Commission’s spokesperson said that Section 38(2)(a)(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

According to him, culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

“Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions,” the statement added.