Yahaya Bello Vows to Fight Corruption If Elected Kogi Central Senator

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has promised to fight corruption and work towards ending the menace if elected Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.

Bello made the pledge during a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, where he met with traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders as part of his political engagements ahead of the senatorial election.

The former governor, who is seeking to represent Kogi Central in the Senate, said he would deploy his experience and position in the National Assembly to promote good governance and strengthen the fight against corruption.

“I will fight corruption and put an end to it when I become a senator,” Bello was quoted as saying during the engagement.

His latest promise is, however, expected to generate public reactions, particularly as the former governor is currently facing corruption and money-laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello is standing trial over an amended 16-count charge involving allegations of criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to about ₦110.4 billion.

In June 2026, an FCT High Court dismissed an application by Bello challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case, allowing the trial to continue.

The EFCC has maintained that Bello remains presumed innocent until proven guilty, stressing that it is the responsibility of the prosecution to present its case while the court has the final authority to determine guilt or otherwise.

One of the issues that emerged during the proceedings concerns payments allegedly made to the American International School of Abuja for the education of Bello’s children.

An auditor of the school had testified in March 2025 that a total of $1,606,763.68 was paid for the education of Bello’s children, including advance tuition payments for children already enrolled and others expected to attend the school in the future.

The witness also told the court that $760,910.84 was later refunded to an account provided by the EFCC.

However, during another proceeding in May 2026, the witness reportedly acknowledged that an FCT High Court had ruled that the school acted wrongly by refunding the money to the EFCC without a court order.

The matter remains part of the wider legal proceedings and does not amount to a conviction or acquittal of the former governor.

Despite the ongoing trial, Bello has continued his political activities as he seeks to represent Kogi Central in the Senate.

His promise to lead a fight against corruption is therefore likely to attract considerable attention, given the allegations currently before the courts.

For now, Yahaya Bello remains legally presumed innocent, with the final determination of the allegations against him resting with the court.