The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought charges against former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, and three others for alleged involvement in a money laundering scheme amounting to N84 billion. The accused, including Bello’s nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, appeared before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
The amended 17-count charge against the quartet includes allegations of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds totaling N84,062,406,089.88 (Eighty-four Billion, Sixty-two Million, Four Hundred and Six Thousand, Eighty-nine Naira, Eighty-eight Kobo).
Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the prosecution counsel, informed the court of an application for the amendment of charges against the defendants. The judge granted the request, despite objections from the defense counsels.
The charges detail the alleged conspiracy to convert the sum of N80,246,470,089.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty-six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Eighty-nine Naira, Eighty-eight Kobo), proceeds of unlawful activities including criminal breach of trust.
While Yahaya Bello and Hudu remain at large, Ali Bello and Suleiman, present in court, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During the trial, the prosecution called witnesses, including Yakubu Gana, counsel to the property owner, who testified about a property purchase allegedly facilitated by Ali Bello and Suleiman. Another witness, Ramalan Jibril Abdullahi, testified about his role in the due diligence process for the property purchase.
The prosecution requested the title documents of the property for evidence, and the court ordered formal application to the defendants.
The trial was adjourned to March 28, 2024, for further proceedings.
