The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, to December 10, 2024. Until then, Bello will remain in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is handling the case. On Wednesday, the EFCC opposed Bello’s application for bail during the court session.
Bello, who served as Kogi State governor from 2016 to 2023, pleaded “not guilty” to the 16-count charge brought against him by the EFCC. The charges include allegations of money laundering, mismanagement of state funds, embezzlement, and abuse of office. Justice Maryann Anenih presided over the session and adjourned the case to December 10 for further proceedings, including consideration of the bail application.
Earlier in the day, tensions arose as a large crowd of Bello’s supporters flooded the courtroom, disrupting proceedings. The former governor personally intervened, instructing his aides and supporters to vacate the courtroom to restore order. Following this, Justice Anenih formally recorded the pleas of Yahaya Bello and his two co-defendants, Abdulsalam Hudu and Umar Oricho.
The EFCC was represented by a legal team led by Kemi Pinheiro SAN, while Joseph Bodunde Dauda SAN led Bello’s defense team.
This trial is part of a broader investigation into allegations of financial impropriety during Bello’s tenure. Earlier in November 2024, the EFCC filed fresh charges against Bello, alleging his involvement in a N110 billion fraud. This was an expansion of an earlier case in which the EFCC had filed 19 charges against Bello and three others, including his nephew, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu. These earlier charges accused the group of laundering over N80.2 billion.
The updated charges, filed on September 25, 2024, raised the alleged fraud amount to N110,446,470,089. The EFCC claims that these offenses involve the misappropriation of public funds and other financial crimes.
In previous hearings, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, denied oral bail applications for co-defendants Abdulsalam Hudu and Umar Oricho. These decisions underscore the seriousness of the allegations and the court’s determination to ensure accountability in the case.
Yahaya Bello was brought to court on Wednesday morning at around 8:50 a.m., according to reports. His trial continues to draw significant public attention, as it represents one of the highest-profile corruption cases involving a former state governor in recent years.
