Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, has formally denied accusations of financial misconduct totaling N80.2 billion.
Appearing before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, Bello pleaded not guilty to an 18-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
These charges include allegations of money laundering, abuse of public trust, and misappropriation of funds.
During the hearing, the EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed Justice Emeka Nwite of their decision to withdraw an earlier application to expedite the arraignment process. Bello’s legal team, led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, raised no objection, and the court accepted the withdrawal.
The EFCC alleges that the funds in question were diverted from Kogi State’s treasury during Bello’s tenure as governor. This case is one of several controversies surrounding the former governor, who has been under EFCC investigation since April 2024, when the commission declared him wanted for failing to honor repeated summons.
Bello’s arraignment follows his voluntary appearance at the EFCC’s headquarters in November after months of evasion.
Amid heightened security at the courthouse, Bello maintained his innocence and vowed to contest the charges.
