The Federal Government, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has filed new 16-count charges of fraud against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in an FCT High Court. This move follows Bello's absence at a previous Federal High Court session where he faced allegations of fraud amounting to ₦80.2 billion.
The charges were presented by a team of EFCC lawyers, including Kemi Pinheiro and Rotimi Oyedepo, who also named Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu as co-defendants. The new charges allege that Bello and his co-defendants engaged in a criminal breach of trust involving ₦110,446,470,089.00, which was reportedly misappropriated from the Kogi State treasury.
The charges detail various transactions, including the acquisition of multiple properties in Abuja and Dubai, with specific amounts linked to each transaction. For instance, in 2023, they were accused of using ₦950 million to purchase a property in Maitama, Abuja, among other allegations of significant financial misconduct.
In response to the EFCC's actions, Bello has taken the agency to the Supreme Court, contesting its declaration of him as a wanted individual and seeking to overturn a prior arrest warrant issued against him.
During a recent court session, Bello’s defense team requested a postponement of the arraignment, citing the pending appeal at the Supreme Court. They argued that proceeding without resolving the appeal could undermine its outcome. EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro urged the court to consider disciplinary action against Bello’s lawyer, accusing him of attempting to manipulate judicial proceedings.
Justice Emeka Nwite has adjourned the case until October 30 for a ruling on the defense’s request.