The FG has filed fresh charges against Yahaya Bello over an alleged N110.4bn fraud case, further escalating legal troubles for the former governor.
The legal challenges facing Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, have intensified as the Federal Government has initiated a new 16-count indictment against him. This latest set of charges, presented at a federal high court in Abuja, pertains to an alleged criminal breach of trust involving a staggering sum of N110.4 billion.
These allegations contravene sections 96 and 311 of the Penal Code Law Cap.89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963, and carry penalties as outlined in Section 312 of the same legislation. In response to these accusations, Bello is actively contesting the actions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by appealing to the Supreme Court, particularly against the EFCC’s declaration of him as a wanted individual amid claims of financial impropriety.
The EFCC remains steadfast in its commitment to pursue legal action against the former governor, who is also under investigation for alleged money laundering involving N80.2 billion, emphasizing its resolve to ensure accountability in this matter.
In addition to the recent charges, Bello is already facing a prior 19-count indictment from the EFCC. The new 16-count indictment further implicates two officials from the Kogi State government, Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Oricha, who are accused of conspiring with Bello to misappropriate state funds.
The charge sheet indicates that the misappropriated funds were allegedly utilized to purchase properties in affluent areas within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The first count of the indictment asserts that Bello, Oricha, and Hudu, in 2016 in Abuja, conspired to commit an illegal act, specifically a criminal breach of trust concerning the substantial amount of N110,446,470,089.00 (One Hundred and Ten Billion, Four Hundred and Forty-Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Eighty-Nine Naira) that had been entrusted to them.
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The second count alleges that the defendants misused a total of N950 million in 2023 for the acquisition of assets.
Count three charges the defendants with the misappropriation of N100 million for the purchase of a property identified as No: 1160 Cadastral Zone CO3, Gwarimpa I District, Abuja, in the year 2021.
In court four, they faced allegations of utilizing N920 million for the acquisition of a property located at No: 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja, in 2020.
The defendants are further accused in count five of having allegedly spent N170 million on the acquisition of a property situated at Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, in 2022.
Count six alleges that they misappropriated N100 million for the purchase of a property known as No: 1773 Guzape District, Abuja, in 2018.
In count seven, they are said to have used an additional N100 million for the acquisition of a property identified as No: A02/176 Block 488B, Lome Street, Wuse 1, Abuja, in 2020.
Count eight accuses them of having spent N66 million in 2020 for the acquisition of a property located at No: 739 Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, specifically at No. 13 Citiscape-Sharriff Plaza, Abuja.
Count nine alleges that the trio misappropriated N550 million for the purchase of a property known as No: 2934 A Cadastral Zone A06, also referred to as No. 1 Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama District, Abuja, in 2020.
In count ten, they are accused of having used N650 million to acquire a property identified as No: 1058, measuring 1450.77 sqm in Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse 2, also known as No. 2 Durban Street, Abuja, in 2021.
Count eleven states that the accused allegedly utilized 5,698,888 Dirhams in 2022 for the acquisition of a property located at Hotel Apartment Community: Burj Khalifa, situated at Plot 160, Municipality NO 345-7562, Sky View Building No.401, Floor 4, Dubai, U.A.E.
Count twelve charges the defendants with the misappropriation of N60 million for the acquisition of a property known as Block 18 (337) Flat B Gwelo Street, Wuse
When the case was brought before the court, the legal team representing the former governor, under the leadership of Mr. A. M. Adoyi, highlighted to Justice Emeka Nwite the existence of an ongoing appeal at the Supreme Court, noting that the affidavit of record had been submitted on September 23. Adoyi emphasized that this appeal aims to overturn the arrest warrant issued against his client on April 17.
In light of this, he requested that the trial court postpone the scheduled arraignment until the Supreme Court renders its decision on the appeal. “My lord, the appeal numbers are SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024.
We firmly believe that it is prudent to await the Supreme Court’s ruling on these appeals before proceeding with the arraignment, to avoid jeopardizing the appellant’s case or undermining the authority of the Supreme Court,” the defense attorney argued. Meanwhile, Bello was set to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja for his arraignment yesterday.
Bello has initiated legal proceedings against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In response, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, representing the EFCC, urged the court to refer Bello’s attorney to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for disciplinary action, alleging that the lawyer has contributed to undermining the judiciary’s integrity.
He emphasized that the attorney was part of the defense team during a court ruling that mandated Bello’s presence for trial before any further applications could be considered. Pinheiro characterized the lawyer’s conduct as a blatant display of irresponsibility, asserting that the court should exercise its authority to remind him that judicial proceedings are not a venue for frivolity.
Furthermore, the prosecution highlighted that instead of complying with the court’s directive to appear for trial, the former governor claimed to have visited the EFCC’s office.
It is particularly concerning, according to the prosecution, that Bello himself acknowledged being at the EFCC’s car park while accompanied by an individual enjoying immunity, who arrived with a full entourage and the security detail associated with his official position.
The suggestion is that any effort to remove him from the individual possessing immunity would likely have resulted in a confrontation and a potential descent into chaos.
Furthermore, the lawyer representing the EFCC noted that an invitation extended later that day for him to attend alone was declined, as acknowledged by the parties involved.
Following the consideration of arguments presented by both sides, Justice Nwite has postponed the proceedings until October 30, when a ruling will be issued.
