The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged that a former governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello, stole another N110,446,470,089.00 from the state’s treasury during his eight-year tenure from 2016 to 2024.
Nigerian Current reports that the Commission filed the fresh allegation in a new 16-count charge against Bello on September 24, 2024, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja.
Bello has been on the run since April when he was accused by the EFCC of looting N80,246,470,089.88k(N80.25 billion) belonging to Kogi State. The former governor snubbed the court again for the seventh time on Wednesday.
This new allegation brings the total fraud charge against Bello to N192 billion. Kogi State’s 2024 budget is N258.2 billion.
The new charges were filed by a team of EFCC counsel led by Dr Kemi Pinheiro SAN, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, and seven other lawyers.
Joined as Bello’s co-defendants in the suit are Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu.
The fresh charges are coming on the heels of the former governor’s absence at a Federal High Court, Abuja which has ordered his arraignment for the alleged N80.2bn fraud.
They accused Bello and his co-defendants of conspiracy and criminal breach of trust, among others.
The trio was accused of using the money to acquire various properties in Abuja, including the one at No: 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja.
Others included the N100 million they allegedly paid “for the acquisition of a property known as No: 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja.
“Dishonestly used N920 Million for the acquisition of a property known as No: 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
“Dishonestly used N170 Million for the acquisition of a property known as Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
“Dishonestly used N100 Million for the acquisition of a property known as No: 1773 Guzape District, Abuja.
“Dishonestly used N100 Million for the acquisition of a property known as No: A02/176 Block 488B, Lome Street, Wuse 1, Abuja.”
On September 25, the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned the N80.2bn money laundering case brought by the EFCC against Bello until October 30, 2024, for a ruling.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the adjournment following Bello’s move to appeal to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the arrest warrant issued by the trial court on April 17.
The same day, the EFCC brushed off allegations that it attempted to “assassinate” Bello.
Describing Bello as a fugitive, it said on Wednesday that the allegation of an “assassination attempt” was preposterous, adding that it was the first time it would be accused of such in its more than two decades of existence.
The allegation stemmed from a shootout that resulted from a confrontation between EFCC operatives and the security details of Bello’s successor, Governor Usman Ododo, at the Kogi State Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, on 18 September. EFCC operatives made an unsuccessful attempt to arrest Mr Bello during the encounter, as he escaped from the scene in Ododo’s convoy.
Bello’s camp described the development as an attempt by the EFCC to assassinate him.
The shooting incident was preceded that day by the former governor’s controversial surrender at EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja.
The EFCC refused to arrest Bello, who was accompanied by Governor Ododo, and instead attempted to apprehend him at the Kogi State Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
