Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge of alleged fraud amounting to N110.4 billion leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello was arraigned before Justice Maryann Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, alongside two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The trio faced charges of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
The former governor, whose whereabouts had remained unknown for weeks, surrendered himself to the EFCC on Tuesday after eluding the agency in a protracted chase.
Dressed in a white caftan and blue cap, Bello appeared in court at around 9:45 am. The charges, marked CR/7781, detail an alleged misuse of state funds for the acquisition of luxury properties and foreign transactions.
The EFCC accused Bello of misappropriating state funds to purchase high-value properties, including:
No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja: Acquired for N950 million.
No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II, Abuja: Valued at N100 million.
No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja: Purchased for N920 million.
Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja: Worth N170 million.
Hotel Apartment Community, Burj Khalifa, Dubai: Bought for AED 5,698,888.
Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja: Valued at N60 million.
No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja: Acquired for N310.4 million.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that Bello transferred $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and retained N677.8 million obtained unlawfully from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.
During the court session, the former governor and his co-defendants denied all allegations. The prosecution, led by the EFCC, stated that the charges reflect a breach of public trust and a blatant disregard for financial accountability during Bello’s tenure as governor.
Justice Anenih adjourned the matter for further hearings while setting conditions for the defendants’ bail.
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