The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, at the Federal High Court in Abuja today. Bello faces a 19-count charge related to alleged financial misconduct involving ₦80.2 billion.
The charges include accusations of money laundering, breach of trust, and mismanagement of public funds during his tenure as governor. The arraignment will take place before Justice Emeka Nwite, who previously issued an arrest warrant for Bello on April 17.
This warrant came after the former governor repeatedly failed to appear in court for his scheduled arraignment.
Efforts by the EFCC to arrest Bello earlier this year faced resistance. Reports claim that the current governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, intervened by allegedly helping Bello evade capture using his official car.
After months of evasion, Bello turned himself in to the EFCC last Tuesday. The anti-corruption agency immediately arraigned him before an FCT High Court, where Justice Maryanne Anenih presided. Bello pleaded not guilty and was subsequently remanded in EFCC custody.
While the Federal High Court had initially scheduled his case for January 21, 2025, the EFCC successfully petitioned Justice Nwite to bring the hearing date forward.
In addition to Yahaya Bello, three others will also face charges: Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello, along with Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu.
