An upcoming development by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission involves the scheduled arraignment of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Thursday, April 18, 2024, before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Initially, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the EFCC a warrant of arrest to detain the embattled former governor, following an ex parte motion by the EFCC.
Yahaya Bello will appear before Justice Emeka Nwite alongside three other suspects, Ali Bello, Dauda Abdulsalam Hudu, facing 19 counts related to money laundering totaling N80,246,470,088.88.
In a press statement on Wednesday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale disclosed this development.
Oyewale mentioned, “Bello’s upcoming arraignment follows the court’s warrant of arrest and enrollment order granted to the EFCC on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. ”
One of the charges states: “Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu (at large) conspired in February 2016 in Abuja, converting N80,246,470,088.88 known to be proceeds of criminal activity, constituting an offense under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.”
Another charge states: “Yahaya Bello from 26th July 2021 to 6th April 2022 in Abuja aided E-Traders International Limited in concealing N3,081,804,654.00 in an Access BankPlc account, a breach of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.”
Additionally, a charge reads: “Yahaya Adoza Bello in November 2021 in Abuja induced E-Traders international Limited to transfer $570,330.00 to a TD Bank account in the United States, an offense under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.”
The EFCC mentioned that attempts to arrest Bello faced resistance on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
Oyewale added, “Despite resistance, including interference by the Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, who helped Bello evade arrest, the EFCC maintained composure awaiting his arraignment on Thursday, April 18, 2024. It is essential to note that Bello is subject to the law and will be held accountable.”