KEY POINTS
- Yahaya Bello to appear at the FCT High Court on November 27.
- Accused of diverting N110 billion($65.14 million) in state funds.
- Prior arrest attempt led to a shootout and dramatic escape.
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of ongoing investigations into allegations of diverting N110 billion($65.14 million) in state funds during his tenure.
Bello, who surrendered to the EFCC in Abuja on Tuesday, is scheduled for arraignment on November 27 at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated, “He’s currently being grilled by our investigators and will remain in custody pending his court appearance.”
Repeated allegations and defiance
The arraignment, overseen by Justice Maryanne Anenih, stems from charges filed in September accusing Bello of siphoning N110 billion($65.14 million) from Kogi’s treasury.
In a parallel case, the former governor faces money laundering allegations involving N80 billion($47.37 million) at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Bello has repeatedly evaded court summons since April. His earlier attempt to surrender to the EFCC in September, alongside his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, ended dramatically.
A standoff between EFCC agents and Ododo’s security team at the Kogi State Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, culminated in a shootout, allowing Bello to escape under the governor’s convoy.
EFCC’s case and next steps
The EFCC accuses Bello of dishonestly diverting public funds meant for state development, describing the allegations as “a massive breach of public trust.” This week’s surrender marks his first formal compliance with the commission’s demands.
As part of its probe, the EFCC intends to fast-track Bello’s trial to hold him accountable for alleged financial mismanagement that severely impacted Kogi State’s resources.
The legal proceedings are set to shed light on years of alleged corruption during Bello’s administration, with the EFCC calling for full restitution of misappropriated funds.
