Crime
JUST IN: Yahaya Bello Pleads Not Guilty to 16-Count Fraud Charges
Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge of alleged fraud involving N110 billion. The charges were brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during his arraignment on Wednesday before Justice Maryanne Anenih at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
The EFCC alleges that Bello, along with two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, participated in the mismanagement of public funds. Dressed in a white kaftan and blue cap, Bello arrived at the court accompanied by EFCC officials to respond to the allegations.
While Oricha and Hudu, the second and third defendants, have been granted administrative bail, Bello’s appearance marked his formal response to the summons issued against him. During a previous session on November 14, the EFCC sought an adjournment to allow more time for Bello to appear before the court.