The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, will be arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, April 18, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disclosed.
Bello will be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite alongside three other suspects, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdusalam Hudu on 19 counts bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80,246,470,088.88.
EFCC Spokesperson Dele Oyewale informed the press on Wednesday that the anti-graft agency was issued a warrant of arrest by a Federal High Court in Abuja to have Bello arrested, following an ex parte motion filed by the Agency.
“Bello’s arraignment is coming on the heels of a warrant of arrest and enrollment order granted the EFCC by the court on Wednesday, April 17, 2024,” Oyewale said.
The charges against Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu (who is still at large), include allegations of conspiracy to convert a significant sum of money, amounting to N80,246,470,088.88, which is believed to be proceeds from criminal breach of trust.
Another charge accuses Yahaya Bello of aiding E-Traders International Limited to conceal N3,081,804,654.00 in an Access Bank account, also suspected to be proceeds of criminal breach of trust.
Also, Yahaya Bello is accused of indirectly facilitating the transfer of $570,330.00 to a TD Bank account in the United States, believed to be part of the proceeds of criminal activity. These actions are said to violate various sections of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended, and are punishable accordingly.
Why EFCC Could Not Arrest Bello in His Abuja Home on Wednesday, April 17.
News Central reported that the anti-graft officials surrounded Bello’s home on Wednesday in a bid to have him arrested, however, according to Oyewole, they were met with stiff resistance.
Oyewole also revealed that there was breach of security when the present Kogi Governor Usman Ododo sneaked Bello out of the residence in his private car.
“The security cordon around the former governor’s residence in Abuja was breached by the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, who ensured that the suspect was spirited away in his official vehicle.
“As a responsible law enforcement agency, the EFCC exercised restraint in the face of the provocation, waiting for his arraignment on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
“It is necessary to state that Bello is not above the law and would be brought to justice as soon as possible,” he said.