Governor Yahaya Bello’s government has accused Sterling Bank of opening a fixed deposit account on behalf of the Kogi government without its knowledge amid the EFCC probe of financial fraud.

Commissioner For Finance, Budget and Economic Planning Idris Asiru specifically alleged that the bank opened the controversial fixed deposit account in the name of the state government without its knowledge or directive.

Mr Asiru disclosed this when he, alongside the Accountant General, Jibril Momoh and Auditor General, Yakubu Okala, appeared before the state’s parliament on Tuesday in Lokoja. Fielding questions from the legislators, Mr Asiru added that the so-called mirror account was returned to the CBN as a liability account.

“No fixed account was ever opened or authorised by anyone, neither was there any N20 billion kept anywhere. The facility in that sum collected from the bank via the approval of CBN in 2019 has since been used for the purpose intended. Salary payment and other overheads. Kogi is paying N89 million on a monthly basis to settle the bailout loan,” he insisted. ”As a state, we are known for transparency, accountability and efficiency in funds management as it has become a culture under Governor Yahaya Bello.”

The commissioner explained that the government was taken aback when it received the news that the bailout fund meant to offset arrears of workers’ salaries was domiciled in a fixed deposit account with the bank to yield interests.