Money Laundering: EFCC set to arraign Yahaya Bello in court today
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, before a Federal High Court in Abuja today on a 19-count charge involving money laundering totaling ₦82 billion during his tenure.
The case, initially adjourned by Justice Emeka Nwite to January 21, 2025, for a ruling on whether it could proceed in absentia, is now expected to be heard earlier, according to Daily Trust.
In a related development, an FCT High Court ordered Bello’s remand in EFCC custody on Wednesday, pending a ruling on his bail application scheduled for December 10.
Yahaya Bello
Justice Maryanne Aninih will decide on the bail plea for Bello and two co-defendants, Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Oricha, former Kogi State officials, who face similar charges.
They are accused of conspiring to divert state funds to acquire properties in upscale areas of Abuja and Dubai valued at ₦110.4 billion.
During the hearing, Bello and the other defendants pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge brought against them by the EFCC.
Bello had earlier responded to a public summons and voluntarily appeared at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued for his client’s bail, stating that Bello remains innocent until proven guilty and that the alleged offences are bailable. He emphasized Bello’s voluntary appearance in court as proof of his respect for the law.
In opposition, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) argued that the bail application was invalid, having expired in October, and requested the immediate commencement of trial, expressing readiness to present the prosecution’s first witness.
