Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud involving N80.2 billion, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello appeared in court on Friday, facing a 19-count charge of money laundering, fraud, and misappropriation of funds allegedly committed during his tenure.
The arraignment, initially scheduled for November 29, was postponed after the EFCC presented Bello in court without his legal representation. On Friday, when the charges were read, Bello entered a not-guilty plea to all 19 counts.
During the proceedings, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja that the prosecution sought to withdraw an earlier application for an expedited arraignment date, as the request had become irrelevant.
The defense counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not oppose the motion, and Justice Nwite granted the withdrawal.
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Opeoluwa Benson – Content Researcher
