The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed 19 criminal charges against the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, for criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
The charge was dated March 9, 2024, and filed at the Federal High Court 9 in Abuja under FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024.
It identifies Yahaya Adoza Bello as the sole Defendant, with the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant.
According to the charge, the EFCC has accused the former governor of Kogi State of converting a total sum of ₦80 billion belonging to the State’s government in February 2016 to his personal use.
Numerous Accusations
This act violates Section 18(a) and is punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended.
Bello has been accused of allegedly using Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu to indirectly acquire a property.
The said property is located at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja.
The acquisition was made using the sum of ₦950 million, which was believed to be the proceeds of crime.
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Meanwhile, Justice Emeka Nwite granted an ex-parte order to the EFCC.
This is to allow them to arrest and bring the former governor to court for arraignment.
The Order
“That the order of this honourable court is hereby made directing and/or issuing a warrant for the immediate arrest of the Defendant.
“This is for the purpose of bringing him before this honourable court for arraignment.
“That case is adjourned to April 18, 2024 for arraignment,” Justice Nwite held.
However, the EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, spoke via a statement on Wednesday.
He announced that the former governor Bello, along with his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, would face trial before Justice Emeka Nwite.
The charges against them comprise 19 counts related to money laundering amounting to ₦80.246 billion.
The Conspiracy
Some of the counts read: “That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu (Still at large), sometime in February, 2016, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves.
“You conspired to convert the total sum of ₦80 billion.
“This sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust.
“You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a).
“It is punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.
Abuja Property
“That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, sometime in 2023, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, indirectly procured one Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu (still at large) to use the sum of ₦950 million.
“The sum was used for the acquisition a property lying, being and situate at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja.
“This sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust.
“You thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18 (c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.
“This offence is punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.
Another Property
“That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, sometime in February, 2021 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly procured one Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu (still at large).
“To use the sum of ₦100 million for the acquisition a property lying, being and situate at No. 1160, within Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja.
“The sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust.
“You thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.
“The offence is punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.
More Properties
“That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, sometime between 2018 to 2020, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, indirectly procured one Yakubu Siyaka Adegbenga, Iyadi Sadat and Abba Adaudu to use the sum of ₦920 million.
“This was for the acquisition a property lying, being and situate at No.2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
“This sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust.
“You thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amende.
“This is punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.
“That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, sometime in 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court indirectly procured one Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, Rabiu Musa Tafada Global Ventures and Abdulsalam Hudu (still at large).
“They used the sum of ₦170 million for the acquisition of a property.
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“The property is lying, being and situate at block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
“This sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust.
“You thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amende.
“This is punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.
The Transfer
“That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, sometime between 2022 and 2023 in Abuja indirectly procured E-Traders International Limited.
“You also procured Aleshua Solutions Services, Whales Oil and Gas, Forza Oil and Gas, Dada Grand Merchant Limited.
“You transfered the aggregate sum of $556,265 to account number 4266644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America.
“This sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: Criminal Misappropriation.
“You thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amende.
“The offence is punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act.“
