The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed N84 billion money laundering charges against Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, and three others. The charges were brought before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
Yahaya Bello, along with his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, are facing an amended 17-count charge that includes money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds totaling N84,062,406,089.88.
The prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, requested an amendment to the charges to include the former kogi state governor in the trial. Despite objections from the defense counsels, the judge granted the request.
One of the charges alleges that the defendants conspired to convert N80,246,470,089.88, which they reasonably ought to have known was proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
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Yahaya Bello and Abdulsalam Hudu are currently at large, while Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman, present in court, pleaded not guilty to the charges by the EFCC. During the trial, the fourth Prosecution Witness, Yakubu Gana, testified about the purchase of a property in Abuja for N950 million on behalf of Yahaya Bello.
The property’s title documents are expected to be tendered as evidence in the next court session scheduled for March 28, 2024.
The proceedings shed light on alleged financial misconduct involving Yahaya Bello, emphasizing the importance of due diligence and transparency in financial transactions.
