Kehinde Fajobi
Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge of fraud filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello appeared before Justice Maryann Anenih at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, Abuja, alongside two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
They were accused of involvement in a ₦110 billion fraud.
The EFCC alleged that Bello misused state funds to acquire properties worth billions of naira, including:
No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja (₦950 million)
No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II, Abuja (₦100 million)
No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (₦920 million)
Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (₦170 million)
Hotel Apartment, Burj Khalifa, Dubai (5.7 million AED)
Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (₦60 million)
No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (₦310.4 million).
The EFCC also accused the defendants of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank in the United States and holding funds, including ₦677.8 million, unlawfully obtained from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.
Bello, dressed in a white caftan and blue cap, entered the courtroom around 9:45 am.
He surrendered himself to the EFCC on Tuesday following a protracted period of evasion.
The charges, marked CR/7781, include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property. The trial is ongoing.