EFCC had initially filed 19 charges against Bello but reduced it to 16 on September 25, with the total sum allegedly laundered rising to over N110bn
By Kehinde Okeowo
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will today, Wednesday, November 27 arraign the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
His arraignment was confirmed by the anti-graft agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, who curiously declined to give a specific date.
EFCC had initially filed 19 charges against Bello, along with his nephews Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman and Abdulsalam Hudu for money laundering offences amounting to over N80bn.
But the charges were reduced to 16 on September 25, with the total sum allegedly laundered rising to over N110bn.
He, alongside other defendants, were alleged to have bought a total of 12 houses in various locations in Abuja with the money.
The offences, the EFCC said, were contrary to Section 311 of Penal Code Law Cap 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963 and Punishable under Section 312 of the same Law.
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In a bid to stop his arraignment, Bello filed an application before Justice Emeka Nwite, which the judge rejected on July 17.
Displeased with the ruling, Bello approached the Court of Appeal but was overruled.
However, on Tuesday, the former governor submitted himself to the EFCC in the company of his lawyers.
Immediately after he turned himself in, the anti-graft agency held on to him for some clarifications and preparatory for his arraignment.
He is to be docked before Justice Maryan Anenih of the FCT high court sitting in Maitama.
Justice Anenih had fixed November 27 for arraignment based on the request of the EFCC and had issued public summons against him on October 3 in respect of the fresh case filed against him by EFCC.
At the last hearing before Justice Anenih, Counsel for EFCC, Jamiu Agoro had said the order of the court, given on 3rd October had not elapsed.
After listening to all counsel, the judge granted the EFCC’s application for adjournment and fixed November 27 as the return date.
