The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday.
Bello was arraigned alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu before Justice Maryann Anenih at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama.
Cyber Reporters reports that the charges against Bello include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property, linked to allegations of a N110 billion fraud.
The EFCC alleges that Bello misused state funds to acquire several properties in Abuja and Dubai, including a hotel apartment in Burj Khalifa, Dubai.
According to the EFCC, Bello also transferred large sums of money to TD Bank, USA, and possessed unlawfully obtained property, including funds from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.
The properties allegedly acquired with stolen funds include several luxury properties in Abuja, worth hundreds of millions of naira.
Bello’s appearance in court follows weeks of uncertainty about his whereabouts, and he surrendered to the EFCC on Tuesday after a prolonged “hide-and-seek game” with the anti-graft agency.
He was dressed in a white caftan and a blue cap when he appeared in court to face the charges.
The EFCC’s allegations against Bello are serious and wide-ranging, and the case has generated significant interest and attention.
