Yahaya Bello, the immediate former Governor of Kogi State, pleaded not guilty on Friday to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s 18-count allegation against him.
The allegation alleges money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds totaling around N80.2 billion.
When the charge was read to him, Bello stated that he was not guilty of all 18 charges.
When the case was called for hearing, EFCC lawyer Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja that the prosecution intended to withdraw an earlier move for abridgement of the earlier date set for arraignment.
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He stated that the application had been overrun by events.
The defendant’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not protest, thus Justice Nwite granted the request.
