The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to a 16 count filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against him.
Bello appeared in court before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, alongside two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The trio faces allegations of involvement in a N110 billion fraud, which includes charges of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and the possession of unlawfully obtained property. The case, marked CR/7781, pertains to the misuse of state funds, including the acquisition of several high-value properties across Abuja and Dubai.
The EFCC accused the former governor of using stolen state funds to acquire real estate, including properties such as No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja, valued at N950 million; No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja, worth N100 million; and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja, valued at N920 million. Other properties allegedly purchased with Kogi state funds include Block D, Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N170 million), and a hotel apartment in the Burj Khalifa, Dubai, valued at AED 5,698,888. Additional properties include Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4 (N60 million) and No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4 (N310.4 million).
Additionally, the EFCC charged the defendants with transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and for possessing N677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solution Limited, which they allegedly acquired through unlawful means.
Bello had previously evaded arrest for an extended period, but on the eve of his arraignment, he surrendered himself to the EFCC, marking the end of a prolonged standoff between him and the anti-graft agency.
