Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, pleaded not guilty to 19 money laundering charges involving N80 billion. During the hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the EFCC withdrew a previous application for an earlier arraignment date. The trial is ongoing with more details expected.
Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, has denied the 19-count charges leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges involve alleged money laundering activities totaling N80 billion. Bello pleaded not guilty to all charges when he appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on December 13, 2024.
During the court session, the EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that the prosecution had decided to withdraw its application to expedite the arraignment date. According to Pinheiro, the request had become unnecessary due to recent developments. Bello’s legal team, headed by Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not object to the withdrawal, and Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request.
The trial is ongoing, with further details expected as the case progresses.
