BREAKING: EFCC arraigns Yahaya Bello over alleged ₦110bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama.

Bello is set to enter a plea to a 16-count charge linked to his alleged involvement in a ₦110 billion fraud.

The former governor’s whereabouts had been unclear until he voluntarily surrendered to the EFCC, ending a long standoff. Clad in a white caftan and blue cap, Bello was escorted into the court premises by armed EFCC operatives around 9 a.m. for his arraignment.

Bello will face trial alongside two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, before Justice Maryann Anenih.

The charges, marked CR/7781, include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.

The EFCC alleges that Bello misused public funds to acquire several high-value properties, including:

• No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja (₦950 million)
• No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II, Abuja (₦100 million)
• No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (₦920 million)
• Block D, Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (₦170 million)
• Hotel Apartment Community in Burj Khalifa, Dubai (5.7 million dirhams)
• Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (₦60 million)
• No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (₦310.4 million)

In addition to local acquisitions, Bello and his co-accused are alleged to have transferred $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank in the United States. They are also accused of possessing ₦677.8 million sourced from Bespoque Business Solution Limited, believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

The trial is expected to shed light on the alleged financial misconduct during Bello’s tenure as governor.