Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has been arraigned at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja on Wednesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He has pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge levelled against him by the EFCC.

Bello was arraigned before Justice Maryanne Anenih of the FCT High Court on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.

He, alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are being prosecuted as 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively, in a fresh N110bn 16-count charge instituted against them by the EFCC.

The charges border on criminal breach of trust and money laundering.

The other defendants, Oricha and Hudu, have been given administrative bail by the commission. At the last hearing on November 14, the EFCC had sought adjournment to Wednesday, November 27, saying the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.

Bello’s arraignment is the latest development in the EFCC’s efforts to hold him accountable for alleged financial mismanagement during his tenure as Kogi State Governor.

The former governor had previously been declared wanted by the EFCC over his failure to appear in court for arraignment.

He was however taken into the custody of the Commission on Tuesday after he presented himself to the EFCC at its headquarters in Abuja.

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