Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello Appears at FCT High Court for Arraignment Over Alleged N110.4bn Fraud

Former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has been presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for arraignment at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama.

Bello is expected to enter his plea on a 16-count charge related to his alleged involvement in a N110.4 billion fraud.

His whereabouts had been unknown until yesterday when he surrendered to the anti-graft agency.

Today, armed operatives from the EFCC escorted former Governor Yahaya Bello to the court premises before 9 a.m. for his arraignment.

Bello will be docked before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal High Court, along with his two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.

The charges against the defendants, outlined in case number CR/7781, include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.

Specifically, the EFCC alleged that the former governor misused state funds to acquire properties, including No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja (N950 million), No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja (N100 million), and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (N920 million).

Other properties the defendants allegedly acquired with funds stolen from the Kogi state treasury, included Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N170 million), Hotel Apartment Community: Burj Khalifa, Dubai (Five Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Dirhams), Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N60 million), and No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N310.4 million).
The defendants were also accused of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and possessing unlawfully obtained property, including N677.8 million from Bespoque  Business Solution Limited.