Rita Odafe
Yahaya Bello
On Wednesday, November 27, the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, entered a not guilty plea to a total of 16 charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello appeared in front of Justice Maryann Anenih at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, alongside two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The trio faces accusations linked to a fraudulent scheme involving N110 billion.
It’s important to note that Bello had been elusive until recently, when he finally turned himself in, ending a lengthy evasion of the anti-corruption agency.
Wearing a white caftan and blue cap, he took his place in court around 9:45 AM.
The charges against them, referenced as CR/7781, include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of illegally obtained assets.
The EFCC claims that Bello misappropriated state funds to purchase several properties, including properties valued at significant amounts in Abuja and Dubai, as detailed: No. 35 Danube Street (N950 million), No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03 (N100 million), No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street (N920 million), and more properties in the city and abroad.
Furthermore, they are alleged to have transferred substantial sums totaling over $1 million to TD Bank in the USA and to possess property worth N677.8 million obtained unlawfully from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.
