A former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has again denied allegations of fraud and money laundering, pleading not guilty to a 19-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC accuses Bello of diverting ₦110 billion from the Kogi State treasury during his tenure as governor which ended in 2023.
At the resumed hearing, Counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, notified the court of his intention to withdraw an earlier application for abridgement of the earlier date fixed for arraignment. Counsel to the defendants, Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not object to this, and Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request, striking out the application.
The court had previously ordered the remand of Bello in the Kuje correctional centre until January 29, 2025.
More to follow…
