The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Mr. Bello will appear alongside three other suspects, namely Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, facing a total of 19-count charges related to money laundering amounting to N80,246,470,088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty-Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, and Eighty-Eight Naira, Eighty-Eight Kobo).
The arraignment follows a warrant of arrest and enrolment order granted to the EFCC by the court on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Among the charges, the first count alleges conspiracy to convert the aforementioned sum, believed to be proceeds of unlawful activity, constituting a violation of Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended.
One of the specific charges, Count 17, accuses Mr. Bello of aiding E-Traders International Limited in concealing a sum of N3,081,804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty-One Million, Eight Hundred and Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty-Four Naira) in an Access Bank Plc account, deemed to be proceeds of unlawful activity.
In another charge, Count 18, Mr. Bello is accused of indirectly facilitating the transfer of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Dollars) to a TD Bank account in the United States of America, alleged to be part of proceeds from unlawful activity.
The EFCC’s efforts to execute the warrant of arrest against Mr. Bello were met with resistance on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The security perimeter around his residence in Abuja was breached, and he was reportedly transported away in an official vehicle by the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo. Despite this, the EFCC maintained restraint and awaits Mr. Bello’s arraignment on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
It is imperative to emphasize that no individual, regardless of their status, is exempt from the law, and Mr. Bello will be brought to justice expeditiously.
