The federal government has filed a fresh 16-count allegation against Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi state, according to TheCable.
The accusation, presented before a federal high court in Abuja on Wednesday, pertains to an alleged criminal breach of trust in the amount of N110,446,470,089, in violation of sections 96 and 311 of the Penal Code legislation Cap.89 Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963, and punishable under Section 312 of the same legislation.
The former governor, who is the lone defendant in a 19-count indictment previously filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), will face a new 16-count charge with two Kogi state government officials, Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Oricha.
The defendants were alleged to have used funds from the Kogi state treasury to acquire properties in high-brow areas within the federal capital territory (FCT) and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, according to the charge sheet seen by TheCable.
The Counts
– Count One: Allegation that Bello, Oricha, and Hudu conspired to commit a criminal breach of trust involving the sum of ₦110,446,470,089 entrusted to them in 2016.
– Count Two: Accusation of spending ₦950 million in 2023 for acquiring a property located at No: 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja.
– Count Three: Allegation of using ₦100 million in 2021 to acquire a property at No: 1160 Cadastral Zone CO3, Gwarimpa I District, Abuja.
– Count Four: Accusation of spending ₦920 million in 2020 for acquiring a property at No: 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
– Count Five: Allegation of using ₦170 million in 2022 to acquire a property at Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
– Count Six: Accusation of using ₦100 million in 2018 to purchase a property at No: 1773 Guzape District, Abuja.
– Count Seven: Allegation of spending ₦100 million in 2020 to acquire a property at No: A02/176 Block 488B, Lome Street, Wuse 1, Abuja.
– Count Eight: Accusation of using ₦66 million in 2020 for acquiring a property at No: 739 Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, located at No. 13 Citiscape-Sharriff Plaza, Abuja.
– Count Nine: Allegation of spending ₦550 million in 2020 to acquire a property at No: 2934 A Cadastral Zone A06, also known as No.1 Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama District, Abuja.
– Count Ten: Accusation of using ₦650 million in 2021 to purchase a property at No: 1058, Measuring 1450.77 sqm in Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse 2, also known as No. 2 Durban Street, Abuja.
– Count Eleven: Allegation that the accused used 5,698,888 Dirhams in 2022 to acquire 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, UAE.
– Count Twelve: Accusation of using ₦60 million in 2016 for acquiring a property at Block 18 (337) Flat B Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
– Count Thirteen: Allegation of dishonestly using ₦310,443,450 in 2017 to renovate a property at No: 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
– Count Fourteen: Accusation of dishonestly sending $570,330 in 2021 to account No. 4266644272 domiciled with TD Bank, United States of America.
– Count Fifteen: Allegation of sending $556,265 in 2021 to account No. 4266644272 domiciled with TD Bank, United States of America.
– Count Sixteen: Allegation against Bello for having control over ₦677,848,000 unlawfully obtained from Bespoque Business Solutions Limited between 2017 and 2018 in Abuja.
In April 2024, the EFCC declared Yahaya Bello wanted for alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds amounting to ₦80.2 billion. Despite multiple attempts, the EFCC was unable to arrest him.
The commission also accused Bello of withdrawing $720,000 from the state’s coffers to pay his child’s school fees in advance. Although a 19-count charge was filed against him, his arraignment has been repeatedly delayed due to his absence.
In August 2024, the Court of Appeal in Abuja ordered Bello to surrender for arraignment, but reports suggested he remained in the protective custody of the Kogi State government.
On September 18, Bello’s media office claimed he had visited the EFCC, but the agency denied this, stating that he was still at large. Bello’s team further alleged that the EFCC attempted a forceful arrest by laying siege to the Kogi government lodge in Abuja.