Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, has pleaded not guilty to fraud charges leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a court in Abuja on Wednesday.
Bello is facing charges for allegedly diverting ₦110 billion from the state’s treasury during his eight years in office. This new court case adds to his other legal troubles, including an ongoing money laundering case involving ₦80 billion also before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The ex-governor had consistently disregarded court summons since April, leading the EFCC to bring new charges against him at the FCT High Court in September.
Bello’s legal issues with the EFCC have previously garnered public attention. In September, he tried to turn himself in at the EFCC office in Abuja, with his replacement, Governor Usman Ododo, by his side.
Later that day, EFCC agents attempted to arrest Bello at the Kogi State Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, which increased the tension between the agency and the ex-governor.
