On Monday, April 29, members of the Kogi Conscience Liberation Movement (KCLM) gathered at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to express their support for the anti-corruption efforts and to call for the recovery of funds they allege were stolen by former Governor Yahaya Bello.
Led by Comrade Jacob Okpanachi and Desmond Obaro, the group displayed placards with messages like ‘Kill Corruption before it kills Nigeria’ and ‘Corruption is cancer to democracy’. They voiced their concerns about the alleged embezzlement of billions of naira from Kogi State’s coffers during Bello’s tenure.
Okpanachi, addressing the crowd and the media, highlighted the significant financial mismanagement under the former governor’s administration, citing the N800 million allegedly paid in advance for school fees at the American International School Abuja as an example of the misuse of state funds. He pointed out the stark contrast between such expenditures and the struggles of many in Kogi State to afford basic education due to insufficient funding.
“Our state struggles with counterpart funding for UBEC, and many children are out of school due to lack of funds. Education at the primary and secondary levels has become a burdensome affair,” Okpanachi explained.
Desmond Obaro reiterated the group’s support for the EFCC and urged them to continue their efforts to reclaim the wealth allegedly stolen by the former governor and his associates. He emphasized the importance of the EFCC’s role in ensuring justice and highlighted the community’s opposition to any efforts to discredit the agency.
The rally participants also called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to act against judges who compromise the integrity of the judiciary by failing to support the fight against corruption effectively.
At the conclusion of the rally, EFCC officials received a letter from the KCLM detailing their concerns and demands. The officials assured the group that their demands would be thoroughly reviewed and addressed.
This demonstration is a significant expression of civic engagement in Kogi State, reflecting the broader national struggle against corruption in Nigeria and the demand for accountability from public officials.