Former Governor. Yahaya Bello
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed new charges against Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State.
The charge is related to N110 billion in fraud allegations.
Earlier, the former governor was charged with 19 counts of money laundering alongside his nephew Ali Bello for the sum of N80,246,470,088.88.
The EFCC claims that this was part of a larger plot involving the misappropriation of Kogi State funds for private benefit. Although Bello’s case has been pending for some time, the extent of the alleged fraud is now better understood in light of these new accusations.
The EFCC outlined in its charge sheet that Bello, alongside several key associates, used state resources for personal ventures.
Among the listed infractions is the purchase of several properties within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Proxies are said to have been used to purchase these properties to conceal the source of the funds.
“That Bello, Oricha and Hudu sometime in 2021, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N100,000,000.00 for the acquisition of a property known as No: 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja.”, the commission stated.
Bello is also accused of transferring money to a U.S. bank account, allegedly without proper authorization or oversight, leading to suspicions of money laundering.
The N110 billion Bello is accused of misappropriating is said to have come from the state treasury during his tenure as governor.
Yahaya Bello faces serious legal consequences in the event of a conviction, which could include jail time and the forfeiture of the relevant properties. The former governor’s case is the latest in a long line of Nigerian public officials accused of corruption that the EFCC has a history of pursuing.
Once again, the misuse of public funds and the necessity of accountability in governance are in the spotlight as the former governor of Kogi State deals with these fresh allegations.
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