Yahaya Bello Faces Fresh Charges Amid Financial Scrutiny

The federal government has lodged a new 16-count charge against Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, intensifying the examination of his financial activities.

Daily Report Nigeria reports that the charges, presented to a federal high court in Abuja on Wednesday, revolve around an alleged criminal breach of trust totalling N110,446,470,089.

These allegations contravene sections 96 and 311 of the Penal Code Law Cap.89 Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963, and are punishable under Section 312 of the same law.

Bello, who is already contending with a separate 19-count charge from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is set to appear in court alongside two Kogi State government officials, Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Oricha.

According to the charge sheet obtained by newsmen, the defendants are accused of embezzling funds from the Kogi State treasury to acquire properties in affluent areas within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Detailed Charges:

1. Count One: Bello, Oricha, and Hudu, in 2016 in Abuja, allegedly conspired to commit a criminal breach of trust involving N110,446,470,089 entrusted to them.

2. Count Two: In 2023, the defendants purportedly used N950 million to purchase a property at No: 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja.

3. Count Three: In 2021, they allegedly spent N100 million on a property at No: 1160 Cadastral Zone CO3, Gwarimpa I District, Abuja.

4. Count Four: In 2020, the defendants are accused of using N920 million to acquire a property at No: 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

5. Count Five: In 2022, they allegedly used N170 million to purchase a property at Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

6. Count Six: In 2018, the defendants are accused of spending N100 million on a property at No: 1773 Guzape District, Abuja.

7. Count Seven: In 2020, they allegedly used another N100 million to acquire a property at No: A02/176 Block 488B, Lome Street, Wuse 1, Abuja.

8. Count Eight: In 2019, the defendants allegedly used N150 million to acquire a property at No: 45 Mississippi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

9. Count Nine: In 2021, they purportedly spent N200 million on a property at No: 12 Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja.

10. Count Ten: In 2020, the defendants are accused of using N300 million to purchase a property at No: 8 Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.

11. Count Eleven: In 2018, they allegedly used N250 million to acquire a property at No: 14 Thames Street, Maitama, Abuja.

12. Count Twelve: In 2022, the defendants purportedly spent N180 million on a property at No: 9 Congo Street, Maitama, Abuja.

13. Count Thirteen: In 2019, they allegedly used N220 million to purchase a property at No: 7 Volta Street, Maitama, Abuja.

14. Count Fourteen: In 2021, the defendants are accused of using N130 million to acquire a property at No: 3 Niger Street, Maitama, Abuja.

15. Count Fifteen: In 2020, they allegedly spent N140 million on a property at No: 11 Zambezi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

16. Count Sixteen: In 2023, the defendants purportedly used N160 million to purchase a property at No: 6 Tigris Street, Maitama, Abuja.