Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has entered a plea of “not guilty” to 16 counts of money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The trial took a tumultuous turn on Wednesday morning when a large group of his supporters flooded the courtroom, prompting Bello to request that his rowdy followers and aides exit to maintain order.
Justice Maryann Anenih oversaw the proceedings, during which Bello and two co-defendants entered their pleas. Kemi Pinheiro SAN is representing the federal government, while Joseph Bodunde Dauda SAN leads Bello’s defense team.
The EFCC’s charges stem from allegations of financial misconduct and fraud during Bello’s tenure as governor from 2016 to 2023. The commission arrested him as part of ongoing investigations into the mismanagement of state funds, embezzlement, and abuse of office.
In November, reports indicated that the EFCC had filed new charges against Bello, accusing him of a staggering N110 billion fraud. The agency initially filed 19 charges against him and several associates, alleging money laundering offenses totaling over N80 billion. The latest charges, dated September 25, have increased the total amount in question to N110.4 billion.
Additionally, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja dismissed oral bail applications from co-defendants Abdulsalam Hudu and Umar Oricho in connection with the fraud case.