EFCC files fresh N110 billion corruption charges against former Kogi Governor Bello

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed fresh corruption charges against former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who is still wanted for an earlier money laundering case.

The EFCC accuses Mr Bello in the new case of dishonestly diverting over N110 billion from the treasury of the Kogi State Government while he was governor for eight years.

The new case was filed on Tuesday at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja. It adds to Bello’s legal woes who has been evasive and avoided summons in connection with an earlier money laundering case involving an alleged diversion of over N80 billion pending against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Seat of the Federal High Court, Abuja

The new case has 16 charges, with two other people, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, charged as co-accused.

The charges include a criminal breach of trust involving the alleged diversion of over N110 billion entrusted to Bello’s care as governor of Kogi State. The anti-graft agency said Bello and his co-accused diverted this fund in 2016, his first year in office.

He also alleged in several counts that Mr Bello dishonestly acquired for himself properties located in prime areas of Abuja and one in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), with funds he allegedly diverted from the state government treasury.

For instance, the commission said the former Kogi State governor took N100 million from the government treasury to buy himself a property at 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II, Abuja, in 2021.

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He alleged that he purchased another property at 35, Danubi Street, Maitama, Abuja, for himself with N950 million belonging to the state in 2023.

He allegedly purchased another one at 2, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja, with N920 million belonging to the state in 2020.

In another charge, the commission alleged that Mr. took N100 million from the Kogi State Government to purchase a property known as Block D, Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

The amounts alleged in the case are significant for a poor state like Kogi.

The new case significantly raises the stakes in the EFCC's efforts to bring Mr. Bello to court, as the former governor continues to fight hard to avoid trial.

A process shrouded in drama

The EFCC’s decision to prosecute Bello has been marred by dramas both inside and outside the courtroom. These include a recent controversial surrender of Bello, which the EFCC curiously refused, followed by a shootout during a failed arrest attempt by the agency’s operatives at the Kogi State Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.

In April, a similar spectacle occurred when EFCC operatives attempted to arrest him at his Abuja residence. At the time, police officers assigned to the house obstructed the EFCC operatives’ attempt to arrest him based on a court order. The impasse between the two parties had continued until Bello’s successor, Governor Usman Ododo, suddenly appeared in his official convoy, helping him escape. Bello snubbed the magistrate court the following day, prompting the EFCC to declare him wanted.

Ahmed Usman Ododo, Governor of Kogi State

He has skipped scheduled arraignment hearings at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Wednesday was the seventh time he failed to appear in court since the EFCC's initial attempt to charge him with N80 billion money laundering in April.

To stop the trial, Bello has resorted to various legal avenues. He wrote to the presiding judge of the Federal High Court to transfer the case from Abuja to Lokoja, the Kogi State capital. He filed a series of applications urging the trial judge, Emeka Nwite, to stop the trial. He filed a suit for violation of fundamental human rights and a contempt suit before the Kogi State High Court. He also filed appeals before the Court of Appeal in Abuja to stop the trial. All these efforts failed as the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld the authority of the EFCC to prosecute him and ordered him to surrender to the Federal High Court for prosecution on his judgments delivered in July and August.

READ ALSO: EFCC Speaks Out On Yahaya Bello's Controversial Surrender And Shooting Operation At Kogi Government Lodge

Despite these decisions, Mr. Bello once again failed to appear in court for his rescheduled arraignment on Wednesday, with his lawyer citing a new appeal filed with the Supreme Court challenging the Court of Appeals ruling.

The properties he allegedly purchased dishonestly with Kogi State funds and the amount alleged in the new case are as follows:

1. Block 18 (337), B Floor, Gwelo Street, Wuse, Zone 4, Abuja

• Acquired in 2016: N60 million

2. No. 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja

• Renewed in 2017: N310,443,450.

3. No. 739, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, No. 13, Citiscape Sharriff Plaza, Abuja

• Acquired in 2020: N66 million

4. No 2934A, Cadastral Zone A06, also known as No 1, Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama District, Abuja.

• Acquired in 2020: N550 million

5. No.2, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja

• Acquired in 2020: N100 million

6. Property known as No 1058, measuring approximately 1450.77 sqm in Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse 2, also known as No 2, Durban Street, Abuja

• Acquired in 2021: N650 million

7. No 1160, CO3 Cadastral Zone, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja

• Acquired in 2021: N100 million in 2021

8. Property located in Hotel Apartment Community, Burj Khalifa, located at Plot 160, Municipality No 345 7562, Sky View Building No. 401, Floor4, Dubai UAE

• Purchased in 2022: 5,698,888 UAE Dirhams

9. Block D, Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja

• Acquired in 2022: N170 million

10. No. A02/176 Block 488B, Lome Street, Wuse 1, Abuja

• Acquired in 2020: N100 million

11. No. 1773, Guzape District, Abuja

• Acquired in 2018: N100 million

12. No.: 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja

• Acquired in 2023: N950 million

The 16 new charges filed against Mr. Bello and his two co-defendants follow below.

1. In 2016, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, you agreed among yourselves to cause an unlawful act to be committed, namely: criminal breach of trust in respect of the total sum of N110, 446, 470, 089.00 (One Hundred Ten Billion Four Hundred Forty-Six Million Four Hundred Seventy Thousand Eighty-Nine Naira) entrusted to you.
2. In 2023, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while having dominion over the state treasury, you dishonestly used the total sum of N950,000,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja.
3. In 2021, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while having dominion over the state treasury, you dishonestly used the total sum of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 1160 Cadastral Zone CO3, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja.
4. In 2020, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while having dominion over the state treasury, you dishonestly used the total sum of N920,000,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Twenty Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
5. In 2022, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while having dominion over the state treasury, you dishonestly used the total sum of N170,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Seventy Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
6. In 2018, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while having dominion over the state treasury, he dishonestly used the total sum of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 1773 Guzape District, Abuja.
7. In 2020, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while having dominion over the state treasury, you dishonestly used the total sum of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: A02/176 Block 488B, Lome Street, Wuse 1, Abuja.
8. In 2020, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while having dominion over the state treasury, you dishonestly used the total sum of N66,000,000.00 (Sixty-six million naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 739 Aminu Kano Crescent, wuse 2 at No. 13 Citiscape Sharriff Plaza, Abuja.
9. In 2020, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while having dominion over the state treasury, you dishonestly used the total sum of N550,000,000.00 (Five Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 2934A Cadastral Zone A06 also known as No.1 Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama District, Abuja.
10. In 2021, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while having dominion over the state treasury, you dishonestly used the total sum of N650,000,000.00 (Six Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 1058, measuring about 1450.77 square metres in Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse 2 also known as NO.2 Durban Street Abuja.
11. In 2022, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst having dominion over the state treasury, you dishonestly used the total sum of Five Million Six Hundred Ninety Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty Eight for the acquisition of a property located in the Hotel Apartment Community – Burj Khalifa, which is located and situated at Plot 160, Township No. 345 7562, Sky View Building No. 401, 4th Floor, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
12. In 2016, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while having dominion over the state treasury, you dishonestly used the total sum of N60,000,000.00 (Sixty Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as Block 18 (337) Flat B Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
13. In 2017, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while having dominion over the state treasury, you dishonestly used the total sum of N310,443,450.00 (Three Hundred Ten Million Four Hundred Forty Three Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Naira) to tastefully renovate a property known as No: 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
14. In 2021, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst having dominion over the state treasury, he dishonestly remitted the total sum of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred Seventy Thousand Three Hundred Thirty United States Dollars) to account No. 4266644272 domiciled at TD Bank, United States of America.
15. In 2021, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst having dominion over the state treasury, he dishonestly remitted the total sum of $556,265.00 (Five Hundred Fifty Six Thousand Two Hundred Sixty Five United States Dollars) to account No. 4266644272 domiciled at TD Bank, United States of America.
16. Between 2017 and 2018, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, he had under his control the total sum of N677, 848,000 (Six Hundred Seventy Seven Million, Eight Hundred Forty Eight Thousand Naira) illegally obtained from BESPOQUE BUSINESS SOLUTION LIMITED.