On Friday, December 13, 2024, Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, pleaded not guilty to the 19 charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello is facing accusations of money laundering involving a sum of N80 billion. He denied all the charges during his arraignment in the Federal High Court in Abuja.
During the court proceedings, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, representing the EFCC, informed the judge that the prosecution would be withdrawing a previous request to expedite the arraignment process, as circumstances had changed. The defense, led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, agreed, and Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request.
Details of the case are still developing.
