Alleged N80bn Fraud: Yahaya Bello Pleads Not Guilty

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has pleaded not guilty to an N80 billion fraud case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 19-count charge, including allegations of money laundering.

During the hearing on December 13, the EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, withdrew an earlier application seeking to expedite the arraignment. Justice Nwite granted the request to strike out the application following no objection from Bello’s defense counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN.

The EFCC accused Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, of using proxies to acquire properties in Abuja and Dubai with proceeds of crime. The agency also alleged that he attempted to conceal over N3 billion through proxies and transferred $700,000 to a U.S. bank account, violating the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.

Among the individuals implicated in the alleged scheme are Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello, and associates Dauda Suleiman, Shehu Bello, Rabiu Musa, and Abdulsalam Hudu, the latter of whom remains at large. The charges include breach of public trust under sections 18(a) and (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, punishable under section 15 of the same Act.

Bello, who appeared in court from Kuje prison, maintained his innocence regarding the charges.