The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed new charges against former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, accusing him of N110 billion fraud.
The fresh 16-count charge, dated September 25, accuses Bello and two others, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, of money laundering offences related to the misappropriation of state funds. The trio allegedly used the funds to purchase 12 properties across Abuja.
The EFCC had previously filed 19 charges against Bello, involving N80.2 billion. However, the total sum of the money laundering offences in the new charges increased to N110.4 billion.
According to the EFCC, Bello and his co-defendants, in 2023, used N950 million from the state treasury to acquire a property at No: 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja. They also allegedly used N920 million to buy another property on Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
Other properties listed include a N170 million property in Wuse Zone 4 and several others in Guzape and Maitama Districts, Abuja, acquired between 2018 and 2022.
Additionally, the EFCC alleged the defendants sent over $1 million to an account domiciled in TD Bank, USA, in 2021. The charges also mention N677.8 million unlawfully obtained from Bespoque Business Solution Limited between 2017 and 2018.
The anti-graft agency insists the charges are a breach of the Penal Code Law and called for legal action against the former governor and his associates.
