By Ene Oshaba, Abuja
In a bid to address corruption issues plaguing Kogi State, the Kogi Conscience Liberation Movement (KCLM) in collaboration with the Kogi Concerned Citizens Forum (KCCF) have called for a comprehensive investigation into the expenditure of Kogi State from 2016 to January 27th, 2024. The demand aims to shed light on alleged financial mismanagement and corruption within the state.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Coordinator Comrade Peter Onuma, and the Secretary, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob, in a position paper presented to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.
The paper, emphasized the need for the EFCC to carry out an in-depth probe, in line with its official mandate. They expressed their full support for the ongoing investigation by the agency and urged for thorough scrutiny of former Governor of Kogi State and other individuals allegedly involved in corrupt practices.
It stressed that the economic setbacks suffered by Kogi citizens as a result of corrupt practices within the state, norinf that the civil service, which forms the backbone of the state’s income base, has been particularly affected, with workers facing hardships due to issues such as percentage salary payments.
“The state income base is the civil service yet this same sector have been subjected and subjugated to untold hardship that emanates from issues bothering on percentage salary where workers receive less than half of his/her monthly salaries and wages thus reducing the velocity of cash in the society.
“To worsen the situation it is important to also recall that the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello conducted an endless screening exercise that led to loss of jobs, lives and many thrown into untold hardship within Kogi State,” the statement said.
The statement further highlighted the repercussions of the endless screening exercise conducted during Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration, which resulted in job losses, loss of lives, and increased hardship for many within the state.
It underscored that corruption within Kogi State extended beyond the former governor, implicating local government chairmen and other key appointees involved in financial management during the previous administration’s eight-year tenure.
“The cycle of corruption did not just revolve around the former Governor alone but it became a system that cannot exonerate the Local Government Chairmen and other key appointees that have to do with financial management in the state within his 8 years tenure,” the statement added.
The document commended the EFCC for its ongoing investigation into cases involving billions of naira, including the N80 billion and 10 billion naira allegations linked to the former governor and his family members.
Among the demands presented in the position paper were calls for a comprehensive investigation into the state’s expenditure from 2016 to January 27th, 2024, to address corruption issues effectively. The paper also supported the EFCC’s ongoing investigation and called for accountability for the former governor and other accomplices to serve as a deterrent to future administrations.
Also, the paper urged that the government house does not confer immunity on former governors, stressing the importance of holding accountable all individuals involved in corrupt practices. It also emphasized the public’s anticipation for the outcome of the white paper on the screening exercise conducted during Governor Yahaya Bello’s tenure.
The position paper commended the EFCC for its efforts in investigating financial misappropriation in Kogi State and urged the agency to continue its scrutiny of the state’s financial management practices, stating the ongoing concerns regarding percentage salary payments and called for increased transparency in the state’s financial affairs.