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

The former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, was arraigned on Friday at a Federal High Court in Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 19 counts of alleged fraud totaling N80 billion. Bello pleaded not guilty to all the charges leveled against him.

At the court session, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, counsel for the EFCC, informed the court that the prosecution intended to withdraw a previous application seeking to expedite the arraignment process. He stated that the request had become unnecessary due to subsequent developments. The defense team, led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not oppose the motion, and Justice Emeka Nwite, the trial judge, granted the request.

Further proceedings in the case are expected to continue, with details to follow.