The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched fresh charges against the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in connection with a multi-billion naira fraud scheme. The 16-count charges, filed in a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, accuse Bello of perpetrating the fraud along with two other defendants.
According to a Daily Trust report, the anti-graft agency discovered a massive scam amounting to N110.4 billion, allegedly carried out by Bello, Umar Shuaibu Oricha, and Abdulsalam Hudu. The charge sheet alleges that the trio agreed to engage in an illegal act of criminal breach of trust in 2016, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the court.
The charges are the latest development in a series of legal battles surrounding Bello’s tenure as governor. The former leader has previously been accused of fraud totaling N80.2 billion, and his absence at a Federal High Court in Abuja led to the fresh charges being filed. It is unclear what triggered Bello’s absence from court, but the latest developments suggest that the EFCC is determined to bring the former governor to justice.
The EFCC, which filed the charges through seven lawyers, including Kemi Pinheiro and Rotimi Oyedepo, is seeking to recover the allegedly stolen funds. If convicted, the defendants face severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
As the case unfolds, many in Nigeria are eagerly watching the developments, eager to see justice served and transparency upheld in the country’s government. The EFCC’s efforts to root out corruption and bring those responsible to account are a critical step towards rebuilding trust in Nigeria’s institutions and restoring confidence in the government.
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