Yahaya Bello pleads not guilty to ₦110 billion fraud charges

The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, appeared before Justice Maryann Anenih at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama on Wednesday, where he pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello, dressed in a white caftan and blue cap, was docked alongside two other defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, at approximately 9:45 am. The charges, filed under case number CR/7781, include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.

The EFCC accused Bello and his co-defendants of embezzling state funds during his tenure as governor, using the proceeds to acquire multiple high-value properties, including:

No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja (₦950 million)

No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja (₦100 million)

No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (₦920 million)

Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (₦170 million)

Hotel Apartment Community in Burj Khalifa, Dubai (valued at 5.6 million Dirhams)

Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (₦60 million)

No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (₦310.4 million)

Additionally, the EFCC alleged that the defendants made unauthorized transfers of $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank in the United States. The prosecution further claimed they were in possession of unlawfully obtained property worth ₦677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.

Bello’s arraignment followed his surrender to the EFCC after evading arrest for several weeks. The anti-graft agency described his actions as a “hide-and-seek game” prior to his eventual submission.

The trial is expected to shed light on the allegations, as Bello and his legal team maintain his innocence against the charges. Meanwhile, the EFCC has vowed to pursue justice in the high-profile case.

(With additional information from vanguard)