The Immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has pleaded not guilty to a fresh 19-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Bello, who was brought to court from Kuje prison, denied any involvement in an N80.2 billion fraud. The EFCC alleged that Bello used five proxies to acquire luxury properties in Abuja and Dubai with proceeds of crime.
Additionally, the anti-graft agency accused Bello of attempting to conceal over N3 billion by handing it over to proxies to keep for him. He was also alleged to have wired over $700,000 to a US bank account in breach of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.
The EFCC further alleged that Bello committed public breach of trust, contrary to the Money Laundering Prohibition Act. Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello, and four others were also implicated in the alleged fraud.
Bello’s legal team, led by former Nigerian Bar Association President J.B. Daudu, requested bail, assuring the court that Bello would not flee the country. Daudu cited Bello’s two-term governorship of Kogi State and his limited international travel as evidence of his reliability.

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The EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, did not oppose the bail request but urged the court to impose conditions ensuring Bello’s attendance at trial. This development comes after Justice Maryann Anenih of the Abuja High Court remanded Bello in Kuje prison on a separate 16-count charge.