The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC has filed a N110 billion fraud case against the former governor. Bello was arraigned before Justice Maryanne Anenih of the FCT High Court on Wednesday, dressed in a white kaftan and blue cap.
Along with Bello, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu are facing prosecution as the 1st to 3rd defendants in the fresh N110 billion, 16-count charge. The charges include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
The EFCC accuses Bello of misappropriating state funds to acquire several properties, including a N950 million residence on Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja; a N100 million property in Gwarimpa II District, Abuja; and a N920 million residence on Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
Other alleged properties obtained with stolen funds include a N170 million property in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, a hotel apartment in Burj Khalifa, Dubai, valued at 5.7 million AED, and several other properties in Abuja.
The defendants are also accused of transferring large sums, including $570,330 and $556,265, to TD Bank in the USA, and possessing unlawfully obtained funds such as N677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.
At the previous hearing on November 14, the EFCC requested an adjournment to November 27 for the case, citing the 30-day window for the summons. The court granted administrative bail to Bello’s co-defendants and extended the time for Bello’s appearance.
