BREKING NEWS: EFCC files fresh N110 billion corruption charges against former Kogi governor Bello.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed fresh corruption charges against former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, who is still being wanted for an earlier money laundering case.
EFCC accuses Mr Bello in the fresh case of dishonestly diverting more than N110 billion from the Kogi State Government’s treasury while he was governor for eight years.
The fresh case was filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Tuesday. It adds to the legal troubles of Mr Bello, who has been elusive, shunning summons regarding an earlier money laundering case involving alleged diversion of more than N80 billion pending against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The new case has 16 counts, with two other persons – Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu – charged as co-defendants.
The charges include criminal breach of trust involving alleged diversion of more than N110 billion entrusted in Mr Bello’s care as Kogi State governor. The anti-graft agency said Mr Bello and his co-defendants diverted this fund in 2016, his first year in office.
It also alleged in various counts that Mr Bello dishonestly acquired for himself properties located in choice areas of Abuja and one in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with funds he allegedly diverted from the state government’s treasury.
For instance, the commission said the former Kogi State governor took N100 million from the government’s treasury to buy himself a property at 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II, Abuja, in 2021.
It alleged he bought another property at 35, Danubi Street, Maitama, Abuja, for himself with N950 million belonging to the state in 2023.
He allegedly bought another one at 2, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja, with N920 million belonging to the state in 2020.
In another count, the commission alleged that Mr took N100 million from the Kogi State Government to buy himself a property known as Block D, Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
The amounts alleged in the case are significant for a poor state like Kogi.
The fresh case significantly raises the stakes in EFCC’s efforts to bring Mr Bello to court, with the former governor continuing fighting hard to stave off trial.
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