By Uzair Adam
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned the immediate-past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering totaling N80 billion.
The charges were read before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Bello pleaded not guilty to all counts.
According to the EFCC, the allegations against the former governor center on the misappropriation of public funds during his tenure.
Counsel for the commission, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), informed the court of the decision to withdraw an earlier application seeking to abridge the arraignment date.
He noted that the application had been overtaken by events. Joseph Daudu (SAN), representing the former governor, did not object to the withdrawal, and Justice Nwite subsequently struck out the application.
The case has drawn significant public interest, with observers closely monitoring developments in the trial.