The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a fresh 16-count charge against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, alleging misappropriation of over N110 billion in public funds. Bello, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, is accused of using state funds to acquire properties in Abuja and Dubai.
According to the EFCC, Bello used over five million Dirhams to purchase a property in Khalifa, Municipality, Dubai . Additionally, the trio allegedly used N950 million to acquire a property at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja, in 2023 .
The charges, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, accuse Bello and his co-defendants of criminal breach of trust, punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963 . The EFCC alleges that Bello and his associates agreed to commit an illegal act, specifically criminal breach of trust, regarding N110,446,470,089 entrusted to them .
Other allegations include sending $570,330 and $556,265 to a TD Bank account in the United States in 2021 . Bello is also accused of having N677,848,000, unlawfully obtained from Bespoque Business Solution Limited, under his control between 2017 and 2018 .
This development comes after the EFCC’s previous attempts to bring Bello to trial for alleged N80.2 billion fraud charges were unsuccessful due to his refusal to appear in court . A date for Bello’s arraignment on these fresh charges has not been set.
The EFCC’s lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, filed the charges on September 25, 2024 . The case marks a significant development in the EFCC’s efforts to tackle corruption and ensure accountability in Nigeria’s public sector.
