EFCC Charges Yahaya Bello Over Alleged Misuse Of State Funds To Acquire Properties In Dubai And Abuja

EFCC Charges Yahaya Bello Over Alleged Misuse Of State Funds To Acquire Properties In Dubai And Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed new charges against the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, accusing him of misappropriating state funds to acquire luxury properties in Dubai and Abuja. The 16-count charge, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, alleges that Bello and two accomplices dishonestly spent over N110 billion of public funds. This includes using over five million Dirhams to purchase a property in Dubai and N950 million to acquire a property in Maitama, Abuja.

The EFCC detailed various instances of alleged misuse of funds, including transfers of over $1 million to accounts in the United States. The charges, filed by EFCC lawyer Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, accuse Bello and his associates of criminal breach of trust under Nigeria’s Penal Code Laws. No date has been set for Bello’s arraignment, despite prior attempts by the EFCC to bring him to court over an N80.2 billion fraud case.