Ex Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello Pleads Not Guilty to N80 Billion Money Laundering Charges

The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has pleaded not guilty to a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering involving the sum of N80 billion.

The charges were brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The arraignment took place at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Bello firmly denied all allegations. Counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court of the prosecution's decision to withdraw an earlier application aimed at expediting the arraignment date.

"The application has been overtaken by events," Pinheiro stated, a move that was unopposed by the defense counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request to withdraw the application, allowing the proceedings to continue as scheduled.