Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, appeared at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Wednesday for his arraignment in an alleged fraud case involving N110 billion. The case, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has captured public attention since the charges were first brought against Bello earlier this year.
Bello was declared wanted by the EFCC in April 2024 after he failed to respond to multiple summons regarding allegations of large-scale financial misconduct during his tenure as governor. On Tuesday, the former governor voluntarily reported to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where he was questioned by investigators before being brought to court.
The EFCC has filed 19 charges against Bello, including accusations of money laundering involving over N80 billion. Alongside Bello, the charges also name his nephews, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, as co-defendants in the case.
This marks the first time Bello has appeared in court following the EFCC’s attempts to secure his presence for arraignment. The EFCC has emphasized its commitment to ensuring justice in the case, stating that the charges reflect their ongoing efforts to combat corruption in public office.
