Alleged N80bn fraud: Yahaya Bello, nephew others arrive court for arraignment

Detained former governor of Kogi State, Yahaha Bello has arrived at the Abuja division of the ANS Federal High Court for his arraignment on a 19-count charge that borders on alleged N80.2billion fraud.

He was brought to court this morning by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he is currently being held by the orders of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Bello alongside his nephew, Ali Bello and two others, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu, will be docked before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The judge had on April 17, issued a warrant for the arrest of the former governor following his repeated failure to appear before the court for his arraignment.

Efforts by operatives of the EFCC to execute the arrest order at Bello’s residence in Abuja were allegedly thwarted by the incumbent governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, who was said to have whisked him away in his official car.

However, after months of hide-and-seek, Bello, last Tuesday, surrendered himself to the anti-graft agency which docked him before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday.

Justice Maryanne Anenih of the FCT high court had upon the plea of not guilty by the defendant, remanded him in custody of the EFCC.

Meanwhile, though the instant case at the Federal High Court was originally adjourned till January 21, 2025, however, the anti-graft agency persuaded trial Justice Nwite to shorten the date.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants engaged in money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds.