In a startling revelation, leaked WhatsApp chats reportedly show that the fleeing former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is allegedly conspiring to bribe judges with large amounts of dollar bills. The conversations, which Sahara Reporters obtained, hint at an elaborate scheme to influence judicial proceedings related to Bello’s alleged fraud and money laundering case.
The chats originated from a WhatsApp group named “Only Ododo 4 Const,” which includes key figures from Bello’s administration, including commissioners and political allies. The leaked messages suggest that Bello, who has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is actively seeking to avoid justice through bribes.
One of the significant revelations in the leaked messages comes from Evangelist Kingsley Fanwo, the former Commissioner for Information and Communications during Bello’s tenure, who now serves in the government of Governor Usman Ododo. Fanwo reportedly stated that Bello had converted a significant amount of money from naira to dollars and had secured assistance to deliver these funds to judges presiding over his case.
“My honorable, no fear oo. Oga is on top of his game, I spoke with him, and he told me that he has converted the entire money to dollars. He got someone to deliver them to those judges,” read one of Fanwo’s messages. He further implied that even if Bello did turn himself in, the bribe would guarantee a favorable outcome.
Another key figure in the group, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Kogi State, Abdullahi Bello, corroborated Fanwo’s statements, hinting that the party would do everything necessary before meeting with the judges. “The necessary things will be done before we meet the judges,” he reportedly said.
These leaked chats emerged amid ongoing legal troubles for Yahaya Bello. The EFCC has filed 19 criminal counts against the former governor, including charges of criminal breach of trust and money laundering. According to the agency, Bello misappropriated over N80 billion in public funds while in office. The case, filed at the Federal High Court 9 in Abuja, details a range of illicit activities, including the use of intermediaries to acquire valuable property and the conversion of state funds for personal use.
Bello’s whereabouts remain unknown, and the EFCC has detained a female police officer who served as his aide-de-camp, along with other security personnel, for allegedly aiding his escape from anti-corruption operatives in Abuja.