![Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello [Google]](http://media.assettype.com/lagoslocalnews%2F2024-09-19%2Fnztkh6fy%2F2AE97E81-BC89-4107-B7B6-0B84C77CD0A0.jpeg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to a 16-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The arraignment took place before Justice Maryann Anenih at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, where Bello appeared alongside two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The charges stem from an alleged N110 billion fraud involving accusations of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
Specifically, the EFCC claims that Bello misappropriated state funds to acquire various properties, including a mansion on Danube Street in Abuja valued at N950 million and several other high-value assets across the country and abroad.
Bello's whereabouts had been uncertain until he surrendered to the EFCC on Tuesday after months of evading court appearances.
Dressed in a white caftan and blue cap, he entered the dock around 9:45 AM. The EFCC alleges that he transferred significant sums, including $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank in the USA, as part of his illicit activities.
