Alleged N80bn Fraud: Ex-Kogi Gov Bello Arraigned, Pleads Not Guilty

The immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Friday, pleaded not guilty to the 19-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

In the charge before the Court, the anti-graft agency accused Bello of fraud to the tune of N80bn. He, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

When the case was called for hearing on Friday, Counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, notified the court of the intention of the Prosecution to withdraw an earlier application for abridgment of the earlier date fixed for arraignment.

He said the application had been overtaken by events. The Defendant’s Counsels, led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not object and trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, accordingly granted the request.

Details Later…