In a high-profile legal saga, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign Yahaya Adoza Bello, former governor of Kogi State, along with three co-defendants, on charges of money laundering amounting to a staggering N80.2 billion on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, before Justice Emeka Nwite.
The case centers on a complex web of financial transactions, detailed in a 19-count charge, alleging conspiracy and money laundering against Bello and his associates Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu (still at large).
The accusations specifically cite their involvement in converting funds derived from unlawful activities, including criminal breach of trust, in contravention of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2011.
According to court documents, Bello’s alleged misconduct spans several years, with one charge accusing him of aiding E-Traders International Limited to conceal over N3 billion in an Access Bank account between July 2021 and April 2022. Another charge outlines his purported involvement in facilitating the transfer of $570,330 to a US-based account in November 2021, part of which allegedly stemmed from criminal breach of trust.
The legal showdown with Bello intensified after the EFCC secured a warrant for his arrest, leading to a dramatic evasion attempt thwarted by the intervention of Kogi State’s current governor, Usman Ododo. Despite the provocative resistance encountered during the execution of the warrant on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, the EFCC exhibited restraint and resolved to await Bello’s formal arraignment the following day.
The EFCC, known for its uncompromising stance against financial misconduct, affirmed that Bello is subject to the rule of law and will be held accountable for his alleged actions. As the proceedings unfold, the public remains riveted by this high-stakes legal battle, underscoring the ongoing efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability at the highest levels of governance.